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?

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

• 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? - John Dryden
  
• Very thin strips of a glittering, mettalic material used as a decoration; traditionally, at Christmas time it is draped over streamers, paper chains and the branches of Christmas trees.
  
• 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. - William Cowper
  
• Showy to excess; gaudy; specious; superficial.
       Tinsel trappings. - John Milton
  
• To adorn with tinsel; to deck out with cheap but showy ornaments; to make gaudy.
       She, tinseled o'er in robes of varying hues. - Alexander Pope
  
• (metaphorical) To give something a false sparkle.