Word Study
caper
CIDE DICTIONARY
caper, v. i. [From older capreoll to caper, cf. F. se cabrer to prance; all ultimately fr. L. caper, capra, goat. See Capriole.].
To leap or jump about in a sprightly manner; to cut capers; to skip; to spring; to prance; to dance. [1913 Webster]
"He capers, he dances, he has eyes of youth." [1913 Webster]
caper, n.
A frolicsome leap or spring; a skip; a jump, as in mirth or dancing; a prank. [1913 Webster]
caper, n. [D. kaper.].
A vessel formerly used by the Dutch, privateer. Wright. [1913 Webster]
caper, n. [F. câpre, fr. L. capparis, Gr. ; cf. Ar. & Per. al-kabar.].
- The pungent grayish green flower bud of the European and Oriental caper (
Capparis spinosa ), much used for pickles. [1913 Webster] - A plant of the genus
Capparis ; -- called alsocaper bush ,caper tree . [1913 Webster]" TheCapparis spinosa is a low prickly shrub of the Mediterranean coasts, with trailing branches and brilliant flowers; -- cultivated in the south of Europe for its buds. TheCapparis sodada is an almost leafless spiny shrub of central Africa (Soudan), Arabia, and southern India, with edible berries." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
caper, v. & n.
--v.intr. jump or run about playfully.
--n.
1 a playful jump or leap.
2 a a fantastic proceeding; a prank. b sl. any activity or occupation.
--v.intr. jump or run about playfully.
--n.
1 a playful jump or leap.
2 a a fantastic proceeding; a prank. b sl. any activity or occupation.
Idiom
cut a caper (or capers) act friskily.
Derivative
caperer n.
caper, n.
1 a bramble-like S. European shrub, Capparis spinosa.
2 (in pl.) its flower buds cooked and pickled for use as flavouring esp. for a savoury sauce.
1 a bramble-like S. European shrub, Capparis spinosa.
2 (in pl.) its flower buds cooked and pickled for use as flavouring esp. for a savoury sauce.
Etymology
ME capres & F c{acirc}pres f. L capparis f. Gk kapparis, treated as pl.: cf. CHERRY, PEA
THESAURUS
caper
antic, beam, bob, bounce, burglary, capriole, caracole, carol, carry on, cavort, chirp, chirrup, clap hands, crime, curvet, cut a dido, cut capers, cut up, dance, delight, devilment, dido, disport, escapade, exult, falcade, filch, flounce, fool around, frisk, frolic, gambade, gambado, gambol, glory, glow, grab, heist, high jinks, hop, horse around, impishness, job, joy, jubilate, jump, jump about, lark, laugh, leap, lift, lilt, mischief, monkeyshine, monkeyshines, pinch, play, practical joke, prance, prank, radiate cheer, ramp, rejoice, revel, rip-off, robbery, roguery, rollick, romp, shenanigan, shenanigans, shines, sing, skip, skip for joy, smile, sparkle, sport, spring, steal, stunt, theft, tomfoolery, trick, trip, waggish trick, waggishness, whistleROGET THESAURUS
caper
Amusement
VB amuse, entertain, divert, enliven, tickle the fancy, titillate, raise a smile, put in good humor, cause laughter, create laughter, occasion laughter, raise laughter, excite laughter, produce laughter, convulse with laughter, set the table in a roar, be the death of one, recreate, solace, cheer, rejoice, please, interest, treat, regale, amuse oneself, game, play a game, play pranks, play tricks, sport, disport, toy, wanton, revel, junket, feast, carouse, banquet, make merry, drown care, drive dull care away, frolic, gambol, frisk, romp, caper, dance, keep up the ball, run a rig, sow one's wild oats, have one's fling, take one's pleasure, paint the town red, see life, desipere in loco, play the fool, make holiday, keep holiday, go a Maying, while away the time, beguile the time, kill time, dally, smile, simper, smirk, grin, grin like a Cheshire cat, mock, laugh in one's sleeve, laugh, laugh outright, giggle, titter, snigger, crow, snicker, chuckle, cackle, burst out, burst into a fit of laughter, shout, split, roar, shake one's sides, split one's sides, hold both one's sides, roar with laughter, die with laughter.Leap
N leap, jump, hop, spring, bound, vault, saltation, ance, caper, curvet, caracole, gambade, gambado, capriole, demivolt, buck, buck jump, hop skip and jump, falcade, kangaroo, jerboa, chamois, goat, frog, grasshopper, flea, buckjumper, wallaby, leaping, saltatory, frisky, on the light fantastic toe, di salto in salto.VB leap, jump up, jump over the moon, hop, spring, bound, vault, ramp, cut capers, trip, skip, dance, caper, buck, buck jump, curvet, caracole, foot it, bob, bounce, flounce, start, frisk, jump about, trip it on the light fantastic toe, trip the light fantastic, dance oneself off one's legs, dance off one's shoes.
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