Tin"sel (?), n. [F. 'etincelle 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.
© Webster 1913.
Tin"sel, a.
Showy to excess; gaudy; specious; superficial.
"
Tinsel trappings."
Milton.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.