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Webster 1913 Edition

Tinsel

Tin′sel

,
Noun.
[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.

Tin′sel

,
Adj.
Showy to excess; gaudy; specious; superficial.
“Tinsel trappings.”
Milton.

Tin′sel

,
Verb.
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.

Webster 1828 Edition

Tinsel

TIN'SEL

,
Noun.
Something very shining and gaudy; something superficially shining and showy, or having a false luster, and more gay than valuable.
Who can discern the tinsel from the gold?
If the man will too curiously examine the superficial tinsel good, he undeceives himself to his cost.
1.
A kind of shining cloth.
2.
A kind of lace.

TIN'SEL

,
Adj.
Gaudy; showy to excess; specious; superficial.

TIN'SEL

,
Verb.
T.
To adorn with something glittering and showy without much value; to make gaudy.
She, tinsel'd o'er in robes of varying hues--

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