caper

n. A frolicsome leap or spring; a skip; a jump, as in mirth or dancing; a prank. [ 1913 Webster ]

To cut a caper, to frolic; to make a sportive spring; to play a prank. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ D. kaper. ] A vessel formerly used by the Dutch, privateer. Wright. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. câpre, fr. L. capparis, Gr. &unr_;; cf. Ar. & Per. al-kabar. ] 1. The pungent grayish green flower bud of the European and Oriental caper (Capparis spinosa), much used for pickles. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Bot.) A plant of the genus Capparis; -- called also caper bush, caper tree. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ 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 Capparis sodada is an almost leafless spiny shrub of central Africa (Soudan), Arabia, and southern India, with edible berries. [ 1913 Webster ]

Bean caper. See Bran caper, in the Vocabulary. --
Caper sauce, a kind of sauce or catchup made of capers. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The small olive-shaped berry of the European and Oriental caper, said to be used in pickles and as a condiment. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The currantlike fruit of the African and Arabian caper (Capparis sodado). [ 1913 Webster ]

{ or } n. [ Gael, capulcoile. ] (Zool.) A species of black Old World grouse (Tetrao uragallus) of large size and fine flavor, found in northern Europe and formerly in Scotland; -- called also cock of the woods and horse of the wood. [ Written also capercaillie, capercaili. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To treat with cruel playfulness, as a cat treats a mouse; to abuse. [ Obs. ] Birch. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who capers, leaps, and skips about, or dances. [ 1913 Webster ]

The nimble caperer on the cord. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]