好词典

taper

UK //ˈteɪpə(r)//US //ˈteɪpər//

词源

源自中古英语 'taper',可能来自拉丁语 'papyrus'(纸莎草),因其茎干逐渐变细的形状而得名。

verb

❶ 逐渐变细或变窄,通常指物体的一端比另一端细,或指数量、强度等逐渐减少。

“The candle tapers to a fine point at the top.”

(蜡烛的顶部逐渐变细,形成一个尖点。)

“The road tapers as it approaches the mountain.”

(道路在接近山的地方逐渐变窄。)

同义词:narrow, diminish, reduce, thin, contract

noun

❶ 一种逐渐变细的物体,如蜡烛或锥形物;也可指逐渐减少的过程或状态。

“She lit a taper to illuminate the dark room.”

(她点燃了一支细蜡烛来照亮黑暗的房间。)

“The taper of the wine glass makes it elegant.”

(酒杯的逐渐变细的造型让它显得优雅。)

同义词:candle, cone, narrowing, reduction, diminution

常见短语

taper off — 指逐渐减少或减弱,常用于描述数量、强度或活动的缓慢降低。

“The rain began to taper off in the afternoon.”

(下午时分,雨势开始逐渐减弱。)