-tape'-

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Taped p. pr. & vb. n. Taping. ] 1. To furnish with tape; to fasten, tie, bind, or the like, with tape; specif. (Elec.), to cover (a wire) with insulating tape.

2. to record on audio tape or video tape; -- either directly, at the scene of the action tape, or indirectly, as from a broadcast of the action. “I was busy when that episode was on TV, but I taped it and watched it later.” [ PJC ]

n. an electroinic device for recording and playing back sounds on magnetic tape; usually it needs to be connected to an amplifier system for playback. [ PJC ]

n. A painted tape, marked with linear dimensions, as inches, feet, etc., and often inclosed in a case, -- used for measuring. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ AS. tapur, tapor, taper; cf. Ir. tapar, W. tampr. ] 1. A small wax candle; a small lighted wax candle; hence, a small light. [ 1913 Webster ]

Get me a taper in my study, Lucius. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A tapering form; gradual diminution of thickness in an elongated object; as, the taper of a spire. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Supposed to be from taper, n., in allusion to its form. ] Regularly narrowed toward the point; becoming small toward one end; conical; pyramidical; as, taper fingers. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Tapered p. pr. & vb. n. Tapering. ] To become gradually smaller toward one end; as, a sugar loaf tapers toward one end. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To make or cause to taper. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. an electroinic device for recording and playing back sounds on magnetic tape; it often has an integrated microphone, amplifier, and speaker, and in such cases requires no additional equipment other than the magnetic tape for recording or playback. [ PJC ]