NOUN (2)

1. a showy decoration that is basically valueless;
- Example: "all the tinsel of self-promotion"

2. a thread with glittering metal foil attached;


VERB (3)

1. impart a cheap brightness to;
- Example: "his tinseled image of Hollywood"

2. adorn with tinsel;
- Example: "snow flakes tinseled the trees"

3. interweave with tinsel;
- Example: "tinseled velvet"

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Tinsel \Tin"sel\, n. [F. ['e]tincelle 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.
      [1913 Webster]

            Who can discern the tinsel from the gold? --Dryden.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Something shining and gaudy; something superficially
      shining and showy, or having a false luster, and more gay
      than valuable.
      [1913 Webster]

            O happy peasant! O unhappy bard!
            His the mere tinsel, hers the rich reward. --Cowper.
      [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Tinsel \Tin"sel\, a.
   Showy to excess; gaudy; specious; superficial. "Tinsel
   trappings." --Milton.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Tinsel \Tin"sel\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Tinseledor Tinselled;
   p. pr. & vb. n. Tinseling or Tinselling.]
   To adorn with tinsel; to deck out with cheap but showy
   ornaments; to make gaudy.
   [1913 Webster]

         She, tinseled o'er in robes of varying hues. --Pope.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

tinsel
    n 1: a showy decoration that is basically valueless; "all the
         tinsel of self-promotion"
    2: a thread with glittering metal foil attached
    v 1: impart a cheap brightness to; "his tinseled image of
         Hollywood"
    2: adorn with tinsel; "snow flakes tinseled the trees"
    3: interweave with tinsel; "tinseled velvet"