caper
noun/ˈkeɪpə(r)/
/ˈkeɪpər/
- [usually plural] the small green flower bud of a Mediterranean bush, preserved in vinegar and used in preparing sauces and other dishes
- (informal) an activity, especially one that is illegal or dangerous
- A call to the police should put an end to their little caper.
- He’s involved in some sort of organized crime caper.
- a humorous film that contains a lot of action
- a British spy caper
- a short jumping or dancing movement
- He cut a little celebratory caper (= jumped or danced a few steps) in the middle of the road.
Word Originnoun senses 2 to 4 late 16th cent.: abbreviation of capriole ‘a leap in dancing’. noun sense 1 late Middle English: from French câpres or Latin capparis, from Greek kapparis; later interpreted as plural, hence the loss of the final -s in the 16th cent.
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caper