capering
|ca-per-ing|
/ˈkeɪpərɪŋ/
(caper)
playful leap or prank
Etymology
'caper' originates from Italian, specifically the word 'capriole' / 'capriolare', where 'capra' meant 'goat'.
'caper' changed from Italian 'capriole' and French forms into early modern English 'caper' meaning a leap; the word was adopted into English by the 16th century and developed related senses (dance-like leap, playful behavior).
Initially, it meant 'a leap like a goat', but over time it evolved into its current meanings of 'to leap or frolic' and figuratively 'to behave playfully or mischieviously'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the act of capering; a playful leap, dance, or frolic.
The capering of the puppies brought everyone to the window.
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Verb 1
to skip, leap, or dance about in a lively or playful way; to frolic.
The children were capering around the garden in the warm afternoon.
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Verb 2
to behave in a playful, mischievous, or lightheartedly daring way (often of people or animals).
A pair of foals were capering in the field at dawn.
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Last updated: 2025/10/20 20:51