TAPER, also denotes a kind of tall wax candle, placed in a candlestick, and burnt at funeral processions, and in other church solemnities.
Tapers are made of different sizes; in some places, as Italy, &c. they are cylindrical; but in most other countries, as England, France, &c. they are conical or taper; whence possibly the name; unless we rather choose to derive taper, in the adjective sense from the substantive taper, in the Saxon tapen or tapon, cereus, "wax-candle." Both kinds are pierced at bottom for a pin in the candlestick to enter.—There are two ways of making tapers, the first with the ladle, the second by hand; for which, see CANDLE.