taper1

[tey-per] /ˈteɪ pər/
verb (used without object)
1.
to become smaller or thinner toward one end.
2.
to grow gradually lean.
verb (used with object)
3.
to make gradually smaller toward one end.
4.
to reduce gradually.
noun
5.
gradual diminution of width or thickness in an elongated object.
6.
gradual decrease of force, capacity, etc.
7.
anything having a tapering form, as a spire or obelisk.
8.
a candle, especially a very slender one.
9.
a long wick coated with wax, tallow, or the like, as for use in lighting candles or gas.
Verb phrases
10.
taper off,
  1. to become gradually more slender toward one end.
  2. to cease by degrees; decrease; diminish:
    The storm is beginning to taper off now. I haven't stopped smoking entirely, but I'm tapering off to three cigarettes a day.
Origin
before 900; Middle English: wax candle, Old English, variant of tapur, dissimilated variant of *papur paper
Related forms
taperer, noun
taperingly, adverb
untapered, adjective
untapering, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for taper off

taper

/ˈteɪpə/
verb
1.
to become or cause to become narrower towards one end: the spire tapers to a point
2.
(often foll by off) to become or cause to become smaller or less significant
noun
3.
a thin candle
4.
a thin wooden or waxed strip for transferring a flame; spill
5.
a narrowing
6.
(engineering) (in conical parts) the amount of variation in the diameter per unit of length
7.
any feeble source of light
Derived Forms
taperer, noun
tapering, adjective
taperingly, adverb
Word Origin
Old English tapor, probably from Latin papӯruspapyrus (from its use as a wick)
Word Origin and History for taper off

taper

n.

Old English tapur, taper "candle," not found outside English, possibly a dissimilated borrowing from Latin papyrus (see papyrus), which was used in Medieval Latin and some Romance languages for "wick of a candle" (e.g. Italian papijo "wick"), because these often were made from the pith of papyrus. Cf. also German kerze "candle," from Old High German charza, from Latin charta, from Greek khartes "papyrus, roll made from papyrus, wick made from pith of papyrus."

v.

"shoot up like a flame or spire," 1580s, from taper (n.). Sense of "gradually decrease in size, force, etc." first recorded c.1600. Related: Tapered; tapering.

Idioms and Phrases with taper off

taper off

.
Become thinner or narrower at one end, as in The road began to taper off until it was just a narrow path. [ c. 1600 ]
.
Diminish or lessen gradually, end by degrees, as in The storm finally tapered off. [ Mid-1800s ]