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.
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.
Showy to excess; gaudy; specious; superficial. "Tinsel trappings." 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. Pope.
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