tin´sel|like´

tin´sel|like´
tin|sel «TIHN suhl», noun, adjective, verb, -seled, -sel|ling or (especially British) -selled, -sel|ling.
–n.
1. glittering copper, brass, or some other metal, in thin shee, strips, or threads. Tinsel is used to trim Christmas trees.
2. Figurative. anything showy but having little value: »

That poverty of ideas which had been hitherto concealed under the tinsel of politeness (Samuel Johnson).

3. a thin cloth of silk or wool woven with threads of gold, silver, or copper: »

She wore a beautiful dress of gold tinsel.

–adj.
of or like tinsel; showy but not worth much.
–v.t.
1. to trim with tinsel.
2. Figurative. to make showy or gaudy; cover the defects with or as if with tinsel.
[apparently short for Middle French estincelle spark < Vulgar Latin stincilla, alteration of Latin scintilla. See etym. of doublets scintilla (Cf.scintilla), stencil. (Cf.stencil)]
tin´sel|like´, adjective.

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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  • tin|sel — «TIHN suhl», noun, adjective, verb, seled, sel|ling or (especially British) selled, sel|ling. –n. 1. glittering copper, brass, or some other metal, in thin shee, strips, or threads. Tinsel is used to trim Christmas trees. 2. Figurative. anything… …   Useful english dictionary

  • tin|sel|ly — «TIHN suh lee», adjective. 1. of or like tinsel. 2. showy without real worth; tawdry …   Useful english dictionary

  • tin·sel — /ˈtınsəl/ noun [noncount] 1 : thin strips of shiny metal or paper that are used as decoration I like to decorate the Christmas tree with tinsel. 2 : something that seems attractive or appealing but is of little worth He s not attracted to the… …   Useful english dictionary

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  • 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

  • Tinselly — Tin sel*ly, a. Like tinsel; gaudy; showy, but cheap. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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