taper

/ˈteɪpə/noun
Middle School
1

A slender wax candle.

2

A small light.

3

A tapering form; gradual diminution of thickness and/or cross section in an elongated object.

4

The portion of an object with such a form.

5

Ellipsis of machine taper.

6

A thin stick used for lighting candles, either a wax-coated wick or a slow-burning wooden rod.

7

A cone-shaped item for stretching the hole for an ear gauge (piercing).

8

Gradual reduction over time.

Sound Patterns & Rhymes

Rhymes

Words that share the same ending sound pattern

Alliteration

Words starting with the same consonant sound — used in poetry and prose to create rhythm, emphasis, and memorable phrasing (e.g. “Peter Piper picked”)

Assonance

Words sharing similar vowel sounds regardless of starting letter — creates internal melody in writing

Consonance

Words sharing similar consonant sound patterns — adds texture and cohesion to writing