ta·per 
(tāpər)
(tāpər)n.
1. A small or very slender candle.
2. A long wax-coated wick used to light candles or gas lamps.
3. A source of feeble light.
4.
a. A gradual decrease in thickness or width of an elongated object.
b. A gradual decrease, as in action or force.
5. Sports A period before a competition or race in which the intensity and frequency of exercise and training is decreased.
v. ta·pered, ta·per·ing, ta·pers
v. intr.
1. To become gradually narrower or thinner toward one end.
2. To diminish or lessen gradually. Often used with off: The storm finally tapered off.
3. Sports To decrease one's exercise levels before a competition or race: tapered for a week before the marathon.
v. tr.
1. To make thinner or narrower at one end.
2. To make smaller gradually.
adj.
Gradually decreasing in size toward a point.
[Middle English, from Old English tapor, possibly ultimately from Latin papyrus, papyrus (sometimes used for candlewicks); see PAPER.]
taper·ing·ly adv.