Tin"sel (?), n. [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, a. Showy to excess; gaudy;
specious; superficial. "Tinsel trappings." Milton.
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.