caper Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun any of numerous plants of the genus Capparis
noun pickled flower buds used as a pungent relish in various dishes and sauces
noun a crime (especially a robbery)
job.
- the gang pulled off a bank job in St. Louis
noun a playful leap or hop
capriole.
noun gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement
play; frolic; gambol; romp.
- it was all done in play
- their frolic in the surf threatened to become ugly
noun a ludicrous or grotesque act done for fun and amusement
joke; trick; antic; put-on; prank.
verb jump about playfully

From older capreoll to caper, cf. F. se cabrer to prance; all ultimately fr. L. caper, capra, goat. See Capriole.

imperfect & past participle Capered present participle & verbal noun capering

To leap or jump about in a sprightly manner; to cut capers; to skip; to spring; to prance; to dance.
He capers, he dances, he has eyes of youth. Shak.

A frolicsome leap or spring; a skip; a jump, as in mirth or dancing; a prank. Shak.

D. kaper.

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.
(Bot.) A plant of the genus Capparis; -- called also caper bush, caper tree. ✍ The Capparis 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. The C. sodada is an almost leafless spiny shrub of central Africa (Soudan), Arabia, and southern India, with edible berries.