webster
English

Etymology
F. étincelle (�spark�), from OF. estincelle, from L. scintilla#Latin|scintilla; compare scintillate, stencil

Pronunciation
:Rhymes: Rhymes:English:-ɪns�l|-ɪns�l

Noun
en-noun|-

1. A shine|shining material used for ornamental purposes; especially, a very thin, gauzelike cloth with much gold or silver woven into it; also, very thin metal overlaid with a thin coating of gold or silver, brass foil, or the like.

#* w:John Dryden|John Dryden:
#*: Who can discern the tinsel from the gold?

1. Very thin strips of a glittering, metallic material used as a decoration, and traditionally, draped at Christmas time over streamers, paper chains and the branches of Christmas trees.
2. Anything shining and gaudy; something superficially shining and showy, or having a false luster, and more gay than valuable.

#* w:William Cowper|William Cowper:
#*: O happy peasant! O unhappy bard! His the mere tinsel, hers the rich reward.

Adjective
en-adj

1. Showy to excess; gaudy; specious; superficial.

#* w:John Milton|John Milton:
#*: Tinsel trappings.

Verb
en-verb|tinsels|tinselling (UK) or tinseling (US)|tinselled (UK) or tinseled (US)

1. transitive To adorn with tinsel; to deck out with cheap but showy ornaments; to make gaudy.

#* w:Alexander Pope|Alexander Pope:
#*: She, tinseled o'er in robes of varying hues.

1. context|metaphorical|transitive To give something a false sparkle.

Derived terms
tinseled, tinselled
tinselly
Tinseltown

See also
trimmings
trim up

References
Webster 1913

fa:tinsel
io:tinsel
te:tinsel
vi:tinsel
tr:tinsel

• 2007-10-04 03:52 - Interwicket - iwiki +te

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