caper1
v.
skip or dance about in a lively or playful way.
n.
- a playful skipping movement.
- informal an illicit or ridiculous activity or escapade.
Phrase
- cut a caper
make a playful, skipping movement.
Derivative
Etymology
C16: abbrev. of capriole.
caper2
n.
- a cooked and pickled flower bud of a bramble-like southern European shrub, used in pickles and sauces.
- the shrub from which capers are taken.
[Capparis spinosa.]
Etymology
ME: from Fr. câpres or L. capparis, from Gk kapparis; later interpreted as pl.