Taper vs. Tapper — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 19, 2024
A taper refers to a gradual decrease in thickness or width of an object, or to the act of making something progressively narrower. A tapper is a person or tool that taps, as in knocking lightly or making a tapping sound.
Difference Between Taper and Tapper
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The term "taper" primarily describes a physical or metaphorical narrowing toward one end, evident in various contexts like the shape of candles, the gradual decrease in stock prices, or the process of reducing medication dosage. On the other hand, "tapper" identifies either an individual or a device engaged in the act of tapping.
While "taper" is associated with a reduction or narrowing process, "tapper" is linked to the action of light, repeated touching or striking. This distinction underlines the difference between a physical characteristic or process (taper) and an agent or instrument performing a specific action (tapper). The usage of each term depends on the context—whether describing the characteristic of diminishing size or the act of tapping respectively.
The difference in their application reflects the nature of the object or activity being described. A tapered object is often designed or modified to serve a specific function more effectively, while a tapper is utilized or identified for their ability to perform the act of tapping, whether it’s part of a manual task, a mechanical process, or a method of extraction.
Despite their phonetic similarity, the terms "taper" and "tapper" occupy distinct conceptual spaces, with the former relating to the characteristic of diminishing and the latter to the act of tapping, each with its specific contexts and applications.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A gradual decrease in thickness or width.
A person or tool that taps.
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Context
Used in describing shapes, reductions.
Used in actions like tapping for rhythm, making holes, or extracting sap.
Function
Signifies narrowing or reducing.
Involves creating a tapping sound or action.
Examples
Candles, training regimens, medication dosages.
Foot tapping, machines creating screw threads, maple sap extraction.
Application
Design, strategy, planning.
Manual tasks, mechanical processes, methods of extraction.
Compare with Definitions
Taper
Gradual decrease in width or thickness.
The table’s legs taper towards the bottom, giving it a sleek look.
Tapper
Narrowing shape.
The tapered design of the dress enhances her silhouette.
Taper
Decreasing trend.
The taper in market demand led to reduced production rates.
Tapper
To reduce gradually.
The doctor advised tapering off the medication slowly to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
Taper
Narrowing shape.
The tapered design of the dress enhances her silhouette.
Tapper
Reduction process.
Athletes often taper their training intensity before a competition.
Taper
To reduce gradually.
The doctor advised tapering off the medication slowly to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
Tapper
Gradual decrease in width or thickness.
The table’s legs taper towards the bottom, giving it a sleek look.
Taper
Reduction process.
Athletes often taper their training intensity before a competition.
Tapper
Decreasing trend.
The taper in market demand led to reduced production rates.
Taper
A small or very slender candle.
Tapper
One that taps.
Taper
A long wax-coated wick used to light candles or gas lamps.
Tapper
One who makes a tapping noise.
Taper
A source of feeble light.
Tapper
A tap-dancer.
Taper
A gradual decrease in thickness or width of an elongated object.
Tapper
A phone tapper or wiretapper.
Taper
A gradual decrease, as in action or force.
Tapper
A weakly hit ground ball.
Taper
(Sports) A period before a competition or race in which the intensity and frequency of exercise and training is decreased.
Tapper
(telegraphy) In early wireless telegraphs, a device used to shake loose the filings of a coherer.
Taper
To become gradually narrower or thinner toward one end.
Tapper
The lesser spotted woodpecker.
Taper
To diminish or lessen gradually. Often used with off
The storm finally tapered off.
Tapper
(US) A tapster.
Taper
(Sports) To decrease one's exercise levels before a competition or race
Tapered for a week before the marathon.
Tapper
(sports) An assistant in the sport of paraswimming who taps blind or visually impaired swimmers with a pole to indicate when they should turn around.
Taper
To make thinner or narrower at one end.
Tapper
The lesser spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopus minor); - called also tapperer, tabberer, little wood pie, barred woodpecker, wood tapper, hickwall, and pump borer.
Taper
To make smaller gradually.
Tapper
A tavern keeper who taps kegs or casks
Taper
Gradually decreasing in size toward a point.
Tapper
A person who strikes a surface lightly and usually repeatedly;
Finger tappers irritated her
Taper
A slender wax candle.
Tapper
A worker who uses a tap to cut screw threads
Taper
(by extension) A small light.
Tapper
Someone who wiretaps a telephone or telegraph wire
Taper
A tapering form; gradual diminution of thickness and/or cross section in an elongated object.
The taper of a spire
The legs of the table had a slight taper to them.
Tapper
A dancer who who sounds out rhythms by using metal taps on the toes and heels of the shoes
Taper
A thin stick used for lighting candles, either a wax-coated wick or a slow-burning wooden rod.
Taper
A cone-shaped item for stretching the hole for an ear gauge piercing.
Taper
(weaving) One who operates a tape machine.
Taper
Someone who works with tape or tapes.
Taper
(transitive) To make thinner or narrower at one end.
Taper
(intransitive) To become thinner or narrower at one end.
Taper
(intransitive) To diminish gradually.
Taper
(intransitive) (of a central bank) To tighten monetary policy.
Taper
Tapered; narrowing to a point.
Taper
A small wax candle; a small lighted wax candle; hence, a small light.
Get me a taper in my study, Lucius.
Taper
A tapering form; gradual diminution of thickness in an elongated object; as, the taper of a spire.
Taper
Regularly narrowed toward the point; becoming small toward one end; conical; pyramidical; as, taper fingers.
Taper
To become gradually smaller toward one end; as, a sugar loaf tapers toward one end.
Taper
To make or cause to taper.
Taper
A convex shape that narrows toward a point
Taper
The property possessed by a shape that narrows toward a point (as a wedge or cone)
Taper
A loosely woven cord (in a candle or oil lamp) that draws fuel by capillary action up into the flame
Taper
Stick of wax with a wick in the middle
Taper
Diminish gradually;
Interested tapered off
Taper
Give a point to;
The candles are tapered
Common Curiosities
Can "tapper" refer to a profession?
Yes, it can refer to someone professionally involved in tapping, such as in traditional sap extraction or in performing arts like tap dancing.
xWhat does it mean when a candle is described as "tapered"?
It means the candle narrows or becomes thinner towards one end.
How does tapering help athletes?
Tapering reduces training intensity before a competition, allowing the athlete's body to recover and optimize performance.
What skills does a tapper need?
A tapper needs precision and rhythm, whether tapping for musical purposes, operating machinery, or extracting resources like sap.
How do you choose the right taper for a project?
The choice depends on the project’s requirements, such as the desired shape, the reduction process, or the strategic goals behind the tapering.
Is tapering medication always necessary?
It depends on the medication and the individual’s health condition; tapering is often recommended to safely reduce dependency and minimize withdrawal symptoms.
Can tapering apply to economic policies?
Yes, tapering can refer to the gradual reduction of stimulus measures by a government or central bank to manage economic growth.
What might a tapper be used for in construction?
In construction, a tapper might be used to tap holes into surfaces for the purpose of screwing bolts or screws into them.
Can a taper be both an object and an action?
Yes, "taper" can describe the shape of an object that narrows or the act of gradually reducing something.
What’s the difference between a tap and a tapper in mechanics?
A tap is a tool used to cut threads inside a hole, while a tapper refers to either the person using the tap or the machine that automates the tapping process.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
