taper

Part of speech: verb

To make or become smaller toward the end; lessen gradually.

Part of speech: adjective

Growing small by degrees toward the end.

Part of speech: noun

A small candle.

Part of speech: noun

A gradual lessening.

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Usage examples "taper":

  1. Try it in any way I will, it does neither the one thing nor the other: it will not take fire; it will not let the taper burn; it puts out the combustion of everything. - "The Chemical History Of A Candle", Michael Faraday.
  2. The mole here is larger than in Europe; the upper part of the body is of a greyish brown, the lower part an ash grey; the legs are covered with a white fur, and the taper tail is one- fifth of the length of the body. - "A New Voyage Round the World, in the years 1823, 24, 25, and 26, Vol. 2", Otto von Kotzebue.
  3. When thoroughly dry, the loose edges of the patch should be carefully torn off so as to slope and taper off nicely. - "Practical Bookbinding", Paul Adam.