tapered
/ˈteɪ.pəd/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈepɚd] /ˈteɪ.pɚd/ (ame, ipa) · [tˈepɚd] /ˈtā-pər How to pronounce taper (audio)/ (ame, mw)
tapered — 形容詞
- taperedpositive
- more taperedcomparative
- most taperedsuperlative
1. describes an object that becomes thinner or narrower towards one end, like a pai
漸窄的
一端逐漸變細的
describes an object that becomes thinner or narrower towards one end, like a pair of jeans, a pencil, or a candle
Apinya wore a pair of tapered jeans that were tight around her ankles.
Apinya 穿了一條在腳踝處收緊的窄管牛仔褲。
collocation: tapered + clothing (jeans, trousers, sleeves)
Tapered legs give the dining table a modern, elegant look that fits small apartments.
錐形桌腿為餐桌增添了現代優雅的風格，適合小型公寓。
The knife has a tapered blade that makes it easy to slice fruit and vegetables.
這把刀的刀身逐漸變細，很適合切水果和蔬菜。
Paloma bought tapered candles that fit the narrow holders on the dining table.
Paloma 買了漸尖的細蠟燭，剛好能放進餐桌上的窄燭台。
The tapered sleeves of the jacket made her arms look longer and slimmer.
這件外套的窄袖讓她的手臂看起來更長更苗條。
- narrowing
focuses on the process rather than the finished shape; 'tapered' implies a more elegant, intentional design
- conical
describes a perfectly round shape that narrows to a point, while 'tapered' can apply to flat or non-circular shapes
- pointed
emphasises the sharp tip rather than the gradual narrowing; 'tapered' highlights the smooth transition
常見錯誤
tapered — 動詞
- taperedpresent simple I / you / we / they
- tapereds3rd person singular
- tapereding-ing form
- taperededpast simple
1. to get gradually narrower at one end along a continuous length, especially of a
變細
一端逐漸變得狹窄
to get gradually narrower at one end along a continuous length, especially of a natural or designed object such as a road, finger, or stick
The road tapered to a narrow path as it climbed into the mountains.
這條路隨著爬上山區而逐漸變窄，最後成為一條小徑。
pattern: taper + to + noun phrase (narrow end)
The model's fingers tapered to delicate tips that made the rings look elegant.
模特兒的手指從根部到指尖逐漸變細，戴上戒指後顯得格外優雅。
The tail of the kite tapered to a point, helping it catch the wind.
風箏的尾部逐漸收窄形成一個尖點，有助於迎風飛行。
The river tapered as it flowed further inland, becoming a small stream.
這條河流越往內陸流就越來越窄，最後變成一條小溪。
文法句型
taper + to/into + noun phrase
用法筆記
Intransitive — the thing that becomes narrower is the subject. Often followed by 'to' or 'into' to describe the narrow end.
常見錯誤
2. to become gradually less in amount, intensity, or degree over a period of time,
逐漸減少
數量或強度逐漸變小
to become gradually less in amount, intensity, or degree over a period of time, such as rain letting up, interest fading, or noise quietening down
The heavy rain finally tapered off by late afternoon, leaving behind a clear sky.
大雨終於在傍晚逐漸停歇，天空變得晴朗。
phrasal pattern: taper off (gradual reduction)
Interest in the new video game tapered after the first few weeks of release.
這款新電玩遊戲上市幾週後，玩家的興趣就逐漸減退了。
The noise from the party next door gradually tapered as the night went on.
隔壁派對傳來的噪音隨著夜深而漸漸變小。
Her enthusiasm for the gardening project tapered once winter arrived and the cold set in.
她對於園藝計畫的熱情在冬天來臨、天氣變冷之後就逐漸消退。
文法句型
taper off
taper + adverb (gradually, slowly)
用法筆記
Intransitive — often paired with 'off' to form the phrasal verb 'taper off', which is the most natural choice for sounds, activities, or levels of interest.
常見錯誤
3. to make something become gradually narrower or smaller at one end by cutting, sh
使變細
使一端逐漸變窄
to make something become gradually narrower or smaller at one end by cutting, shaping, or designing it that way
The designer tapered the sleeves of the jacket to create a slimmer look.
設計師將外套的袖子改窄，呈現更修身的效果。
transitive: taper + object + to + purpose phrase
Yael tapered the ends of the wooden sticks with a sharp knife.
Yael 用一把鋒利的小刀把木棒的末端削尖。
Padma asked the tailor to taper the legs of her dress trousers.
Padma 請裁縫師把她西裝褲的褲管改窄。
Takuya tapered the metal rod to a fine point using a bench grinder.
Takuya 用砂輪機把金屬棒的一端磨成尖細的形狀。
文法句型
taper + object + to/into + noun phrase
用法筆記
Transitive — the subject (a person or tool) reshapes the object. The object is typically a garment, piece of wood, or food item that is being modified.
常見錯誤
tapered — 名詞
1. a thin, narrow candle, usually long and often used for decoration on dining tabl
細蠟燭
細長形狀的蠟燭
a thin, narrow candle, usually long and often used for decoration on dining tables, in candlesticks, or during special occasions
Zayd lit a white taper and placed it in the centre of the dining table.
Zayd 點燃一根白色細蠟燭，放在餐桌中央。
countable: a taper (slender candle)
The dining room was lit by six tall tapers in silver holders.
餐廳裡由六根插在銀燭台上的長細蠟燭照明。
Amara placed two tall tapers in crystal holders on the mantelpiece.
Amara 在壁爐架上放了兩根插在水晶燭台裡的長細蠟燭。
The waiter carried a single burning taper to each table to light the other candles.
服務生端著一根燃燒的細蠟燭走到每一桌去點燃其他蠟燭。
- candle
generic term; a taper is a specific type of thin candle
- dinner candle
a long, thin candle used at the dining table; largely synonymous with taper
常見錯誤
2. a long, thin strip of waxed cotton or cord that burns slowly and is used to ligh
引火芯
點火用的上蠟長棉芯
a long, thin strip of waxed cotton or cord that burns slowly and is used to light candles, lamps, gas stoves, or fires from a safe distance
Nia used a long taper to light the gas stove without burning her fingers.
Nia 用一根長長的引火芯點燃瓦斯爐，以免燙到手指。
used for lighting: a taper to light + [object]
The old lamp could only be lit by touching a burning taper to the wick.
那盞舊油燈只能用燃燒的引火芯碰觸燈芯才能點亮。
To light the gas stove without leaning too close, Deepa used a long taper made of twisted waxed cotton.
為了不用靠太近就能點燃瓦斯爐，Deepa 用了一根由蠟棉線纏繞而成的長引火芯。
Bilal reached for a taper to light the oil lamp hanging in the corner.
Bilal 伸手拿起一根引火芯，點亮了掛在角落的油燈。
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: a lighting taper is not a candle — it is a wick-like tool for lighting other things. Common in homes with gas appliances, oil lamps, or open fires.
常見錯誤
3. a weak, dim source of light, usually from a candle or small flame, often used in
微光
微弱的燭光
a weak, dim source of light, usually from a candle or small flame, often used in literary or poetic descriptions of a barely lit room or scene
The only light in the room came from a single taper flickering on the desk.
房間裡唯一的光線來自書桌上搖曳的微弱燭光。
literary register: a single taper (feeble candlelight)
By the taper's dim glow, Jessica read the old letter one more time.
藉著蠟燭的微弱光線，Jessica 又把那封舊信讀了一遍。
A single taper barely lit the long hallway of the old house.
一根微弱的蠟燭勉強照亮了老房子的長長走廊。
Paloma could just make out the shape of the bed by the taper's pale flame.
Paloma 只能靠著燭光隱約看見床的輪廓。
用法筆記
This sense is primarily literary or poetic in modern English. In everyday conversation, 'candle' or 'light' would be used instead.
4. a shape that becomes gradually narrower from one end to the other, or the proces
錐形
逐漸變窄的形狀或過程
a shape that becomes gradually narrower from one end to the other, or the process of becoming thinner or smaller along a length
The pencil had a smooth taper that made it comfortable to hold.
鉛筆順滑的錐形筆尖讓握持起來很舒適。
the taper of + noun (describing a shape feature)
There was a noticeable taper in her waist above the full skirt.
她的腰部在寬裙上方明顯地向內收窄。
The baseball bat has a smooth taper from the thick barrel to the narrow handle.
這根棒球棒從粗大的擊球區到細窄的握柄之間有平順的錐形變化。
The taper of the trousers from hip to ankle was very elegant.
這條褲子從臀部到腳踝的收窄剪裁非常優雅。
- flare
a widening at the end, opposite of a taper
用法筆記
Can be used as a countable noun ('a slight taper') or uncountable ('the taper of the column'). Focuses on the geometric or design aspect of narrowing.