caper

¹

[key-per]

verb (used without object)

1. to leap or skip about in a sprightly manner; prance; frisk; gambol.

noun

1. a playful leap or skip.

2. a prank or trick; harebrained escapade.

   Synonyms: antic, stunt

3. a frivolous, carefree episode or activity.

   Synonyms: frolic, spree

4. Slang.,  a criminal or illegal act, as a burglary or robbery.

caper

²

[key-per]

noun

1. a spiny shrub, Capparis spinosa, of Mediterranean regions, having roundish leaves and solitary white flowers.

2. its flower bud, which is pickled and used for garnish or seasoning.

caper

¹

/ ˈkeɪpə /

noun

1. a playful skip or leap

2. a high-spirited escapade

3. 1. to skip or jump playfully

   2. to act or behave playfully; frolic

4. slang,  a crime, esp an organized robbery

5. informal,  a job or occupation

6. informal,  a person's behaviour

verb

1. (intr) to leap or dance about in a light-hearted manner

caper

²

/ ˈkeɪpə /

noun

1. a spiny trailing Mediterranean capparidaceous shrub, Capparis spinosa, with edible flower buds

2. any of various similar plants or their edible parts See also bean caper capers

Other Word Forms

• caperingly adverb
• caperer noun
• uncapering adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of caper¹

First recorded in 1585–95; probably shortening and alteration of capriole ( def. )

Origin of caper²

1350–1400; back formation from capers (taken for plural), Middle English caperes < Latin capparis < Greek kápparis

Word History and Origins

Origin of caper¹

C16: probably from _capriole

Origin of caper²

C15: from earlier capers, capres (assumed to be plural), from Latin capparis, from Greek kapparis

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. cut a caper. cut.

Example Sentences

Tom looked on placidly, a Latin rhythm capering overhead.

From Los Angeles Times

That it is at once implausible, overcomplicated and predictable does not, after all, set it apart from most caper films.

From Los Angeles Times

“Stick,” premiering Wednesday on Apple TV+, is a sweet, lovely, funny show — a sports story, a road movie, a coming-of-age story and briefly a caper film.

From Los Angeles Times

“Endling” throws three strangers involved with Ukraine’s for-profit international matchmaking market together for a quixotic kidnapping caper in a nation on the brink of war.

From Los Angeles Times

Maybe torn bagel croutons, smoked salmon ribbons, pickled red onion, caper vinaigrette, goat cheese crumbles and juicy summer tomatoes.

From Salon