Caper \Ca"per\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Capered} p. pr. & vb. n.
   {capering}.] [From older capreoll to caper, cf. F. se cabrer
   to prance; all ultimately fr. L. caper, capra, goat. See
   {Capriole}.]
   To leap or jump about in a sprightly manner; to cut capers;
   to skip; to spring; to prance; to dance.
   
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         He capers, he dances, he has eyes of youth. --Shak.
   
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Caper \Ca"per\, n.
   A frolicsome leap or spring; a skip; a jump, as in mirth or
   dancing; a prank.
   
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   {To cut a caper}, to frolic; to make a sportive spring; to
      play a prank. --Shak.
      
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Caper \Ca"per\, n. [D. kaper.]
   A vessel formerly used by the Dutch, privateer. --Wright.
   
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Caper \Ca"per\, n. [F. c[^a]pre, fr. L. capparis, Gr. ?; cf. Ar.
   & Per. al-kabar.]
   1. The pungent grayish green flower bud of the European and
      Oriental caper ({Capparis spinosa}), much used for
      pickles.
      
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   2. (Bot.) A plant of the genus {Capparis}; -- called also
      {caper bush}, {caper tree}.
      
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   Note: 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.
         
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   {Bean caper}. See {Bran caper}, in the {Vocabulary}.

   {Caper sauce}, a kind of sauce or catchup made of capers.
      
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