caper
1[ key-per ]
/ ˈkeɪ pər /
verb (used without object)
noun
a playful leap or skip.
a prank or trick; harebrained escapade.
a frivolous, carefree episode or activity.
Slang. a criminal or illegal act, as a burglary or robbery.
SYNONYMS FOR caper
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Idioms for caper
cut a caper. cut (def. 84).
Origin of caper
1First recorded in 1585–95; probably shortening and alteration of capriole
OTHER WORDS FROM caper
ca·per·er, nounca·per·ing·ly, adverbun·ca·per·ing, adjectiveWords nearby caper
Definition for caper (2 of 2)
caper2
[ key-per ]
/ ˈkeɪ pər /
noun
a spiny shrub, Capparis spinosa, of Mediterranean regions, having roundish leaves and solitary white flowers.
its flower bud, which is pickled and used for garnish or seasoning.
Compare caper family.
Origin of caper
21350–1400; back formation from capers (taken for plural), Middle English caperes<Latin capparis<Greek kápparis
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for caper
British Dictionary definitions for caper (1 of 2)
caper1
/ (ˈkeɪpə) /
noun
verb
(intr) to leap or dance about in a light-hearted manner
Derived forms of caper
caperer, nouncaperingly, adverbWord Origin for caper
C16: probably from capriole
British Dictionary definitions for caper (2 of 2)
caper2
/ (ˈkeɪpə) /
noun
a spiny trailing Mediterranean capparidaceous shrub, Capparis spinosa, with edible flower buds
any of various similar plants or their edible partsSee also bean caper, capers
Word Origin for caper
C15: from earlier capers, capres (assumed to be plural), from Latin capparis, from Greek kapparis
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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