caper UK /ˈkeɪpə/US /ˈkeɪpɚ/noun 9verb 4forms 3 noun9 •The pungent grayish green flower bud of the European and Oriental caper (Capparis spinosa), which is pickled and eaten. •(figurative) A crime, especially an elaborate heist, or a narrative about such a crime.His caper had failed to find a comic resolution. Instead, there had been a genre switch, and the madcap adventure had turned serious. Or had this bleakness underlain the caper from the start? — 2022 •A playful leap or jump. •A jump while dancing. •A prank or practical joke. •[usually plural] Playful behaviour. •A plant of the genus Capparis. •(Scotland) The capercaillie. •A vessel formerly used by the Dutch; privateer. verb4 •To leap or jump about in a sprightly or playful manner.He capered before them down towards the fortyfoot hole, fluttering his winglike hands, leaping nimbly, Mercury’s hat quivering in the fresh wind that bore back to them his brief birdsweet cries. — 1922 •To jump as part of a dance. •To engage in playful behaviour. •(no longer used) To run at speed.Then up Jack got. And home did trot, As fast as he could caper; Dame Gill did the job, To plaster his nob, With vinegar and brown paper. — 1810 formscapered · capering · capers
