Etymology dictionary. 2014.
Tinsel — Tin sel, n. [F. [ e]tincelle 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… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Tinsel — was originally a metallic garland for Christmas decoration. Nowadays it is typically made of plastic, and used particularly to decorate Christmas trees. In addition it can be hung from walls or ceilings and is normally flexible enough to be… … Wikipedia
tinsel — [tin′səl] n. [aphetic < MFr estincelle, a spark, spangle: see STENCIL] 1. Historical a cloth of silk, wool, etc. interwoven with glittering threads of gold, silver, or other metal 2. thin sheets, strips, or threads of tin, metal foil, etc.,… … English World dictionary
Tinsel — Tin sel, a. Showy to excess; gaudy; specious; superficial. Tinsel trappings. Milton. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Tinsel — Tin sel, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Tinseled}or {Tinselled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Tinseling} or {Tinselling}.] To adorn with tinsel; to deck out with cheap but showy ornaments; to make gaudy. [1913 Webster] She, tinseled o er in robes of varying hues. Pope … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
tinsel — index meretricious, tawdry Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 … Law dictionary
tinsel — ► NOUN 1) a form of decoration consisting of thin strips of shiny metal foil attached to a length of thread. 2) superficial attractiveness or glamour. DERIVATIVES tinselled adjective tinselly adjective. ORIGIN Old French estincele spark , from… … English terms dictionary
tinsel — tinsellike, adj. /tin seuhl/, n., adj., v., tinseled, tinseling or (esp. Brit.) tinselled, tinselling. n. 1. a glittering metallic substance, as copper or brass, in thin sheets, used in pieces, strips, threads, etc., to produce a sparkling effect … Universalium
tinsel — I. noun Etymology: Middle English tyneseyle cloth interwoven with metallic thread, probably from Anglo French tencelé, past participle of tenceler, estenceler to sparkle more at stencil Date: 1538 1. threads, strips, or sheets of metal, paper, or … New Collegiate Dictionary
tinsel — 1. noun /ˈtɪn.səl/ a) 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 … Wiktionary
