GRE Word List

TAPER

to become progressively smaller toward one end

The meaning of the word taper is to become progressively smaller toward one end.

Random words

WordMeaning
quellto thoroughly overwhelm and reduce to submission or passivity
vertebrateany of a subphylum (Vertebrata) of chordates that comprises animals (such as mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes) typically having a bony or cartilaginous spinal column which replaces the notochord, a distinct head containing a brain which arises as an enlarged part of the nerve cord, and an internal usually bony skeleton and that includes some primitive forms (such as lampreys) in which the spinal column is absent and the notochord persists throughout life
insolventunable to pay debts as they fall due in the usual course of business
deliberateto think about or discuss issues and decisions carefully
superimposeto place or lay over or above something
stammerto make involuntary stops and repetitions in speaking : stutter
conventionalformed by agreement or compact
maritalof or relating to marriage or the married state
unprepossessingnot tending to create a favorable impression : not prepossessing
cornucopiaa curved, hollow goat's horn or similarly shaped receptacle (such as a horn-shaped basket) that is overflowing especially with fruit and vegetables (such as gourds, ears of corn, apples, and grapes) and that is used as a decorative motif emblematic of abundance