n.
- a form of decoration consisting of thin strips of shiny metal foil attached to a length of thread.
- superficial attractiveness or glamour.
Derivative
- tinselled
(US tinseled)
adj.
- tinselly adj.
Etymology
ME (denoting fabric either interwoven with metallic thread or spangled): from OFr. estincele ‘spark’, or estinceler ‘to sparkle’, based on L. scintilla ‘a spark’.