capern.1
/ˈkeɪpə/, U.S. /ˈkeɪpər/ 1. A shrub ( Capparis spinosa) in habit of growth like the common bramble, abundant on walls and rocky places in the South of Europe.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > trees and shrubs > thorny berry-bush > [noun] > caper and allies
capera1382
dog bramble1567
dog's apple1567
mustard shrub1756
rat-bean1879
caper-plant1882
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Eccles. xii. 5 The erbe caperis [a1425 L.V. capparis] shal be scatered.
1551 W. Turner New Herball sig. H iijv Capers is a pricky bushe.
1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball vi. xviii. 680 The Caper is a prickley plant or bush almost lyke the Bramble.
1597 J. Gerard Herball ii. 748 It is generally called Cappers, in most languages: in English Cappers, Caper, and Capers.
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory ii. 102/2 Capers hath a weak woody stalk.
1751 Chambers's Cycl. (ed. 7) Caper, Capparis.
1881 Cornhill Mag. Mar. 315 In sheltered nooks the caper hangs her beautiful purpureal snowy bloom.
2. (usually in plural) The flower-buds of the same, gathered for pickling.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > additive > relish > [noun] > pickles or chutney > types of pickles
caper1481
samphire1624
mango1679
English capers1750
piccalilli1758
garlic-pickle1853
tsukemono1885
kimchi1888
maraschino cherry1900
dill pickle1906
dongchimi1962
1481–90 Howard Househ. Bks. (1841) 311 He bout for my Lord..xxij. lb. capres.
1573 G. Gascoigne tr. Ariosto Supposes v. iv, in Hundreth Sundrie Flowres 59 I will go into the towne and buye oranges, olyues, and caphers.
1641 J. Suckling Let. 56 The Capers which will make my Lord of Dorset goe from the Table.
1732 J. Arbuthnot Pract. Rules of Diet i. 244 Capers, astringent and diuretick.
1882 Garden 9 Sept. 233/1 The Capers of commerce are the flower-buds gathered while in a young state.
3. Capucine (or Capuchin) capers, English capers: the seed-vessels of the nasturtium ( Tropæolum majus: see capucine n.), or of the caper spurge ( Euphorbia Lathyris), gathered for pickling; also the plants themselves.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > additive > relish > [noun] > pickles or chutney > types of pickles
caper1481
samphire1624
mango1679
English capers1750
piccalilli1758
garlic-pickle1853
tsukemono1885
kimchi1888
maraschino cherry1900
dill pickle1906
dongchimi1962
1693 J. Evelyn tr. J. de La Quintinie Compl. Gard'ner ii. vi. vi. 189 Capucine-Capers, or Nasturces, are annual Plants.
1721–1800 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. Capuchin Capers, a plant called Nasturces.
1750 S. Johnson Rambler No. 51. ⁋12 The art of making English Capers she has not yet persuaded herself to discover.
4. A sort of scented tea.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > tea manufacture > [noun] > types of dry tea > scented tea
caper1864
jasmine-tea1933
1864 W. Wood Few Words about Tea 10 Scented Teas..a close twisted round shot-like leaf, termed Caper.
1883 Daily News 27 July 6/8 Tea..scented Caper 5d. to 1s. o¼d.
Compounds
C1. General attributive.
caper-berry n.
ΚΠ
1885 Bible (R.V.) Eccles. xii. 5 The caper-berry shall fail.
caper-bush n.
caper-plant n.
caper-sauce n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > additive > sauce or dressing > [noun] > other sauces
galantine1304
civya1325
egerdouce1381
gravy?c1390
camelinea1425
chawdronc1440
saffron sauce?a1505
sibber-sauce1556
ferry?1570
oxoleum1574
slabber-sauce1574
saupiquet1656
slapsauce1708
brown sauce1723
bread sauce1727
custard1747
bechamel1789
caper-sauce1791
tomato sauce1804
custard cream1805
allemande1806
sambal1815
Reading sauce1816
Harvey's Sauce1818
velouté sauce1830
suprême sauce1833
parsley sauce1836
agrodolce1838
Worcestershire sauce1843
espagnole1845
pestoa1848
cheese sauce1854
nam prik1857
Worcester sauce1863
Béarnaise sauce1868
Béarnaise1877
Yorkshire Relish1877
sauce mousseline1892
velvet sauce1893
gribiche1897
mornay sauce1900
sugo1906
sofrito1913
chile con queso1916
foo yung1917
marinara1932
pistou1951
hoisin1957
salsa verde1957
pico de gallo1958
sriracha1959
carbonara1962
amatriciana1963
arrabbiata1963
ponzu1966
puttanesca1971
chermoula1974
tikka masala1975
mojo1983
queso1989
1791 J. Wolcot Rights of Kings in Wks. (1812) II. 431 Dear as, to Legs of Mutton, Caper-Sauce.
caper-shrub n.
caper-tree n.
C2.
caper-bean n. = bean-caper n. at bean n. Compounds 2.
caper-bush n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > according to family > Euphorbiaceae (spurges and allies) > [noun]
catapucec1386
Euphorbiaa1398
spurgea1400
tithymala1400
faitour's grassc1440
cat's-grassc1450
nettlewort1523
essell1527
lint-spurge1548
sea wartwort1548
spurge thyme1548
line-spurge1562
myrtle spurge1562
sun spurge1562
wolf's-milk1575
cypress tithymal1578
devil's milk1578
mercury1578
sea-spurge1597
sun tithymal1597
welcome to our house1597
wood-spurge1597
Euphorbium1606
milk-reed1611
milkwort1640
sun-turning spurge1640
spurge-wort1647
caper-bush1673
Portland spurge1715
milkweed1736
Medusa's head1760
little-good1808
welcome-home-husband1828
three-seeded mercury1846
cat's-milk1861
turnsole1863–79
mole-tree1864
snow-on-the-mountain1873
seven sisters1879
caper-plant1882
asthma herb1887
mountain snow1889
crown of thorns1890
olifants melkbos1898
1673 J. Ray Observ. Journey Low-countries (1738) II. 14 I found nothing by the way but a few Caper-bushes.
1802 J. Pinkerton Mod. Geogr. I. 434 The rocks on the [Spanish] coast..abound with samphire..vetch, caper bush.
caper-plant n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > according to family > Euphorbiaceae (spurges and allies) > [noun]
catapucec1386
Euphorbiaa1398
spurgea1400
tithymala1400
faitour's grassc1440
cat's-grassc1450
nettlewort1523
essell1527
lint-spurge1548
sea wartwort1548
spurge thyme1548
line-spurge1562
myrtle spurge1562
sun spurge1562
wolf's-milk1575
cypress tithymal1578
devil's milk1578
mercury1578
sea-spurge1597
sun tithymal1597
welcome to our house1597
wood-spurge1597
Euphorbium1606
milk-reed1611
milkwort1640
sun-turning spurge1640
spurge-wort1647
caper-bush1673
Portland spurge1715
milkweed1736
Medusa's head1760
little-good1808
welcome-home-husband1828
three-seeded mercury1846
cat's-milk1861
turnsole1863–79
mole-tree1864
snow-on-the-mountain1873
seven sisters1879
caper-plant1882
asthma herb1887
mountain snow1889
crown of thorns1890
olifants melkbos1898
the world > plants > particular plants > trees and shrubs > thorny berry-bush > [noun] > caper and allies
capera1382
dog bramble1567
dog's apple1567
mustard shrub1756
rat-bean1879
caper-plant1882
1882 A. J. C. Hare in Good Words Mar. 185 The beautiful caper plant, which is the hyssop of Scripture.
caper-spurge n. different names of Euphorbia Lathyris.
caper-tree n. Busbeckia arborea of New South Wales.
ΚΠ
1610 Bible (Douay) II. Eccles. xii. 5 The caper-tree shal be destroyed.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1888; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
capern.2
/ˈkeɪpə/, U.S. /ˈkeɪpər/ a. A frolicsome leap, like that of a playful kid; a frisky movement, esp. in dancing; said also of horses; figurative a fantastic proceeding or freak.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > frolicking or romping > [noun] > a frolic
oliprancec1390
ragerya1393
vague1523
rex1566
friskin1570
gambol1573
reak1573
prank1576
vagary1588
whirligig1589
caper1592
prinkum-prankum1596
firk1611
frolica1635
carryings-on1663
ramp1696
romp1713
freak1724
scheme1758
rig1782
lark1811
escapade1814
gammock1819
gambade1821
enfantillage1827
game1828
shines1830
rollick1834
rusty1835
high jinksa1845
escapado1849
shenanigan1855
rum-tum1876
panta1901
gas1914
society > leisure > dancing > movements or steps > [noun] > movement > specific movements
gambol1509
gamond?a1513
frisco?1520
brawl1521
frisk1525
friscal1570
goat's jump1589
caper1592
capriole1596
capering1598
amble1607
friscado1634
rising1694
sink1706
moulinet1785
ballon1828
toeing1871
bump1931
heel turn1933
partnering1939
grind1946
shake1946
thigh lift1949
cambré1952
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > upward movement > leaping, springing, or jumping > [noun] > capering > a caper
gambol1509
gamond?a1513
frisco?1520
frisk1525
friscal1570
caprettie?1578
career1587
stotc1590
lavoltaa1592
caper1592
gambado1618
prance1648
capriccio1665
gambade1803
caper-cut1875
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > inconstancy > [noun] > capriciousness > a caprice or whim
fantasya1450
wantonness1531
humour1533
worm?a1534
will1542
toy?1545
whey-worm1548
wild worm1548
freak1563
crotchet1573
fancy1579
whim-wham1580
whirligig1589
caper1592
megrim1593
spleen1594
kicksey-winsey1599
fegary1600
humorousness1604
curiosity1605
conundrum1607
whimsy1607
windmill1612
buzza1616
capriccioa1616
quirka1616
flama1625
maggota1625
fantasticality1631
capruch1634
gimcrack1639
whimseycado1654
caprich1656
excursion1662
frisk1665
caprice1673
fita1680
grub1681
fantasque1697
whim1697
frolic1711
flight1717
whigmaleery1730
vagary1753
maddock1787
kink1803
fizgig1824
fad1834
whimmery1837
fantod1839
brain crack1853
whimsy-whamsy1871
tic1896
tick1900
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > habits and actions of horse > [noun] > leap
gambolc1503
gambado1820
gambade1823
caper1856
tittup1868
1592 R. Greene Quip for Vpstart Courtier sig. H2v You maister vsher of the dauncing schoole..stand vpon your tricks and capers.
a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) ii. iv. 51 Wee that are true Louers, runne into strange capers . View more context for this quotation
1712 A. Pope in Spectator No. 408. An Hour in Secret, wherein he had his Frisks and Capers.
1856 F. L. Olmsted Journey Slave States 68 Jane [a horse] gave a little sympathizing caper.
b. to cut a caper or capers: to dance in a frolicsome way, to act fantastically. †to cut a caper on nothing: to be hanged.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > dancing > style or manner of dancing > [verb (intransitive)]
frisk?1520
hobble1535
caper1598
to cut a caper or capersa1616
to dance Barnaby1664
to dance low1667
jig1672
to fike and flinga1689
shuffle1819
slow-step1909
dingolay1935
touch-dance1972
headbang1977
to funk out1979
to strut one's funky stuff1979
krump2004
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > upward movement > leaping, springing, or jumping > leap, spring, or jump [verb (intransitive)] > caper
leapc900
playOE
floxec1200
startlec1300
trancec1374
prancec1380
tripc1386
scoupa1400
prankc1450
gambol1508
frisk?1520
jeta1529
pract1568
trounce1568
trip1578
capriole1580
lavolta1590
linch1593
curvet1595
flisk1595
firk1596
caper1598
jaunce1599
risec1599
cabre1600
jaunt1605
skit1611
to cut a caper or capersa1616
tripudiate1623
insult1652
to fike and flinga1689
scamper1691
dance1712
pranklea1717
cavort1794
jinket1823
gambado1827
caracol1861
society > authority > punishment > capital punishment > hanging > be hanged [verb (intransitive)]
rideeOE
hangc1000
anhangc1300
wagc1430
totter?1515
to wave in the windc1515
swing1542
trine1567
to look through ——?1570
to preach at Tyburn cross1576
stretch?1576
to stretch a rope1592
truss1592
to look through a hempen window?a1600
gibbet1600
to have the lift1604
to salute Tyburn1640
to dance the Tyburn jig1664
dangle1678
to cut a caper on nothing1708
string1714
twist1725
to wallop in a tow (also tether)1786
to streek in a halter1796
to straight a ropea1800
strap1815
to dance upon nothing1837
to streek a tow1895
a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) i. iii. 116 And. Faith, I can cut a caper. To. And I can cut the Mutton too't. View more context for this quotation
1691 A. Wood Athenæ Oxonienses II. 262 By his high dancing and cutting of Capers..he did..sprain a vein.
1708 P. A. Motteux Wks. F. Rabelais iv. xvi Two of the honestest Gentlemen in Catchpole-land had been made to cut a Caper on nothing.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 4. ⁋8 He can Dance, though he does not cut Capers.
1827 B. Disraeli Vivian Grey III. v. xv. 320 Executing the most splendid somersets, and cutting all species of capers.
c. transferred. Any activity or pursuit, spec. a fashionable occupation. Also, a ‘game’, dodge, racket. (There are many shades of meaning in U.S., New Zealand, and elsewhere.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > [noun] > business claiming attention > an occupation or affair
charec897
matter?c1225
journeya1352
affairc1390
notea1400
incident1485
concernment1495
actiona1500
business1524
concern1680
job1680
ploya1689
show1797
game1812
caper1839
pigeon dropping1850
shebang1869
hoodoo1876
racket1880
palaver1899
scene1964
1839 Spirit of Times 9 Nov. 423/2 When they are short on't for cradles, a feedin trof is jest the caper.
1840 C. F. Hoffman Greyslaer I. 84 The bizness is a bad one, any how you can fix it, capting; but I think I understand the caper on't.
1851 H. Mayhew London Labour I. 416/1 I used to dress tidy and very clean for the ‘respectable broken-down tradesman or reduced gentleman’ caper.
1867 London Herald 23 Mar. 221 ‘He'll get five years penal for this little caper,’ said the policeman.
a1889 Boston Herald (D.A.E.) Mind-reading is now the proper caper.
1897 J. Conrad Nigger of ‘Narcissus’ iv. 81 ‘I know his caper,’ he said, in a low voice.
1926 J. Black You can't Win x. 131 If anything had gone wrong with this caper and we had to take a pinch.
1944 J. A. Lee Shining with Shiner 75 It's getting worse for this caper every year.
1959 N.Z. Listener 12 June 5/2 Marxism was the caper.
1959 Times 26 May 12/7 Now let's see if the car stops at all after that little caper.
1964 J. Burke Hard Day's Night v. 104 I know your caper. The kidney punch and the rabbit clout.
Compounds
caper-cut n. the cutting of a caper.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > upward movement > leaping, springing, or jumping > [noun] > capering > a caper
gambol1509
gamond?a1513
frisco?1520
frisk1525
friscal1570
caprettie?1578
career1587
stotc1590
lavoltaa1592
caper1592
gambado1618
prance1648
capriccio1665
gambade1803
caper-cut1875
1875 R. Browning Aristophanes' Apol. 361 Those flute-girls—trash who..fed eye with caper-cuts.
caper-cutting adj. that cuts capers:
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > upward movement > leaping, springing, or jumping > [adjective] > capering
startlingc1405
gambolling1538
frisking1566
capering1595
caper-cuttinga1640
caracoling1837
a1640 J. Fletcher & P. Massinger Loves Pilgrimage ii. i, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Aaaaaaaa4/2 My poor child..Your caper-cutting son has run away with.
caper-witted adj. of frivolous or unsteady mind.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > mental wandering > light-mindedness > [adjective]
lightlyeOE
lightOE
lightsomea1425
flying1509
light-minded?1529
tickle or light of the sear?1530
giddya1547
light-headed1549
gidded1563
giddish1566
fling-brained1570
tickle-headed1583
toyish1584
shallow1594
leger1598
corky1601
barmy1602
airy1609
unfirma1616
unballast1622
cork-brained1630
unballasted1644
kickshawa1655
unserious1655
unstudious1663
flirtishc1665
caper-witteda1670
shatter-headedc1686
corky-brained1699
flea-lugged1724
halokit1724
shatter-brained1727
scattered-brained1747
shatter-witted1775
flippant1791
butterfly-brained1796
scatter-brained1804
gossamer1806
shandy-pated1806
shattery1820
barmy-brained1823
papilionaceous1832
flirtatious1834
flirty1840
Micawberish1859
scatterheaded1867
flibberty-gibberty1879
thistledown1897
shatter-pated1901
trivial-minded1905
scattery1924
fizgig1928
ditzy1979
a1670 J. Hacket Scrinia Reserata (1693) i. 227 Whatsoever any Caperwitted Man may observe.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1888; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
† capern.3
Obsolete exc. Historical.figurative.1707 in H. Playford Wit & Mirth (new ed.) IV. 164 Wit Capers, play Sharpers.† 2. A captor, seizer. Scottish. Obsolete.
1. A privateer (also caper-vessel); the captain of a privateer; a corsair.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > privateer or pirate ship > [noun] > privateer
Dunkirker1588
Dunkirk1599
she-Dunkirk1623
Dunker1630
privateer?1641
private man of war1646
caper1657
letter(s) of mart ship1695
caperera1698
letter of marque ship1703
letter(s) of mart man1704
letter of marque1768
shaving-mill1781
ship-privateer1799
sea-wolf1884
society > travel > travel by water > one who travels by water or sea > sailor > types of sailor > [noun] > privateer or corsair
corsair1549
caper1657
privateer1664
crusal1699
privateersman1706
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > robbery > piracy > [noun] > privateering > captain of a privateer
caper1657
1657 S. Colvil Mock Poem (1695) 23 Capers bringing in their prizes, Commons cursing new excises.
1666 J. Lamont Diary (1830) 243 Divers persons..contributed to the reaking owt of lesser vessels to be Capers.
1667 J. Lamont Diary 5–6 Mar. (1830) 246 A Caper vessel..did spleit vpon the Sands.
1668 Treaty in Magens Insurances (1755) II. 447 The Captains and Capers shall..give good and sufficient Security.
1821 W. Scott Pirate II. xiii. 306 Brenda..ran from her like a Spanish merchant-man from a Dutch caper.
ΚΠ
1759 J. Lauder Decisions I. 333 (Jam.) The oft debated cause of the Capers of the two prize Danish ships..that they were free ships, but that the Capers had probable grounds to bring them up.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1888; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
capern.4
/ˈkeɪpə/, U.S. /ˈkeɪpər/, Scottish English /ˈkepər/ Scottish.
‘A piece of oatcake and butter with a slice of cheese on it’ (Jamieson).
ΚΠ
1815 Clan Albin I. 211 (Jam.) Hugh..I gave you a kaper, and a crogan of milk.
1818 Trial Sons of Rob Roy 107 She gave the deponent..bread, butter, and cheese, which they call a caper.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1888; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
capern.5
/ˈkeɪpə/, U.S. /ˈkeɪpər/ slang.
(See quot. 1851.)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > cheating, fraud > [noun] > instance of
braida1000
fraudc1374
mock1523
brogue1537
flim-flamc1538
imposture1548
lie1560
cozening1576
smoke-hole1580
gullery1598
gull1600
cog1602
coggery1602
fraudulency1630
imposition1632
cheat1649
fourbery1650
prestige1656
sham1677
crimp1684
bite1711
humbug1750
swindle1778
hookum-snivey1781
shim-sham1797
gag1805
intake1808
racket1819
wooden nutmeg1822
sell1838
caper1851
skin game1879
Kaffir bargain1899
swizzle1913
swizz1915
put-on1919
ready-up1924
rort1926
jack-up1945
1851 H. Mayhew London Labour I. 287/1 And ‘Capers’ (chorister boys and ballet-girls).
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1888; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
capern.6
/ˈkapə/ colloquial.
= capercaillie n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > order Galliformes (fowls) > family Tetraonidae (grouse) > [noun] > member of genus Tetrao (capercailye)
capercailliec1540
cock of the wood or woods1610
mountain cock1659
wood-pheasant1705
wood-partridge1772
wood-grouse1776
caper1902
1902 Westm. Gaz. 30 Dec. 4/3 The great ‘caper’ can fly as noiselessly as an owl.
1920 J. Ritchie Infl. Man on Animal Life Scotl. vi. 355 Bishop Jhone Leslie..shows clearly that the range of the Caper was limited.
1937 R. A. Knox Double Cross Purposes ix. 146 A caper rocketed up suddenly a few feet away from him.
1958 Listener 23 Oct. 660/3 Many other species..from the grand old Caper to diminutive shore waders.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1989; most recently modified version published online March 2019).
caperv.1
/ˈkeɪpə/, U.S. /ˈkeɪpər/ a. intransitive. To dance or leap in a frolicsome manner, to skip for merriment; to prance as a horse. Also with about, away.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > dancing > style or manner of dancing > [verb (intransitive)]
frisk?1520
hobble1535
caper1598
to cut a caper or capersa1616
to dance Barnaby1664
to dance low1667
jig1672
to fike and flinga1689
shuffle1819
slow-step1909
dingolay1935
touch-dance1972
headbang1977
to funk out1979
to strut one's funky stuff1979
krump2004
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > upward movement > leaping, springing, or jumping > leap, spring, or jump [verb (intransitive)] > caper
leapc900
playOE
floxec1200
startlec1300
trancec1374
prancec1380
tripc1386
scoupa1400
prankc1450
gambol1508
frisk?1520
jeta1529
pract1568
trounce1568
trip1578
capriole1580
lavolta1590
linch1593
curvet1595
flisk1595
firk1596
caper1598
jaunce1599
risec1599
cabre1600
jaunt1605
skit1611
to cut a caper or capersa1616
tripudiate1623
insult1652
to fike and flinga1689
scamper1691
dance1712
pranklea1717
cavort1794
jinket1823
gambado1827
caracol1861
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. ii. 113 The thirde he caperd, and cryed, All goes well. View more context for this quotation
1635 J. Swan Speculum Mundi vi. §2. 227 As if it danced or capered up and down.
1691 R. Boyle Wks. II. 282 (R.) Dancing and capering like a kid.
1768 A. Tucker Light of Nature (1852) II. 445 The complete horseman..may let him sometimes prance and caper and curvet.
1801 M. Edgeworth Forester in Moral Tales I. 60 A number of people capering about.
1842 R. H. Barham Aunt Fanny in Ingoldsby Legends 2nd Ser. 140 Capering away in a Spanish bolero.
1859 Ld. Tennyson Elaine in Idylls of King 188 Making a roan horse caper and curvet For pleasure.
b. transferred and figurative of a singer or singing bird.
ΚΠ
a1593 H. Smith Serm. I. 410 A nightingale..quavers and capers and trebles.
1609 J. Dowland tr. A. Ornithoparchus Micrologus 88 The Italians..caper with their voyces.
1850 J. S. Blackie in tr. Æschylus Lyrical Dramas I. Pref. p. vi The old Hellenic dialect can caper gracefully through movements that..would twist our English tongue into..dislocation.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1888; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
† caperv.2
Obsolete.
To privateer. See caperer n.1 and capering n.2
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1888; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
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