Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Tinsel"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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 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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Tinsel \Tin"sel\, a.
Showy to excess; gaudy; specious; superficial. ``Tinsel
trappings.'' --Milton.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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.
She, tinseled o'er in robes of varying hues. --Pope.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
tinsel
adj : gaudy and showy but valueless; "trumpery ornaments" [syn: {trumpery}]
n 1: a showy decoration that is basically valueless; "all the
tinsel of self-promotion"
2: a thread with glittering metal foil attached
v 1: impart a cheap brightness to; "his tinseled image of
Hollywood"
2: adorn with tinsel; "snow flakes tinseled the trees"
3: interweave with tinsel; "tinseled velvet"
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