Category:Tinsel

Tin"sel, n. Etym: [f. étincelle a spark, of. estincelle, l. Scintilla. Cf. Scintillate, stencil.]

1. A 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. Who can discern the tinsel from the gold dryden.

2. Something shining and gaudy; something superficially shining and Showy, or having a false luster, and more gay than valuable. O happy peasant! O unhappy bard! His the mere tinsel, hers the rich Reward. Cowper.

Tinsel Tin"sel, a.

Defn: showy to excess; gaudy; specious; superficial. "tinsel Trappings." Milton.

Tinsel Tin"sel, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Tinseled or tinselled; p. pr. & vb. n. Tinseling or tinselling.]

Defn: to adorn with tinsel; to deck out with cheap but showy Ornaments; to make gaudy. She, tinseled o'er in robes of varying hues. Pope.