taper

The verb describes a physical or temporal narrowing. When applied to objects, it suggests a smooth, conical transition in shape. When applied to events or weather, it often appears as the phrasal verb taper off, indicating a gradual decline rather than an abrupt stop. As a noun, the word evokes a sense of delicacy or precision. Whether referring to a candle or a mechanical tool, the defining characteristic is the intentional reduction in diameter from one end to the other.