Wiktionary:Word of the day/2021/December 25

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tinsel n

(obsolete) A shining fabric used for ornamental purposes. A silk or wool fabric with gold or silver thread woven into it; brocade. A very thin, gauzelike cloth with gold or silver (or, later, copper) thread woven into it, or overlaid with thin metal plates. (by extension) A thin, shiny foil for ornamental purposes which is of a material made of metal or resembling metal; especially, narrow glittering strips of such a material, often strung on to thread, and traditionally at Christmastime draped on Christmas trees, hung from balustrades or ceilings, or wrapped around objects as a decoration. (figuratively) Anything shining and gaudy; especially something superficially shiny and showy, or having a false lustre, and more pretty than valuable. tinsel adj (obsolete) Of fabric: ornamented by being woven with gold or silver thread, or overlaid with thin metal plates; brocaded. (by extension) (obsolete) Glittering. (figuratively) Apparently beautiful and costly but having little value; superficially attractive; gaudy, showy, tawdry. tinsel v (transitive) To adorn (something) with tinsel. (also figuratively) To ornament (fabric, etc.) by weaving into it thread of gold, silver, or some other shiny material. (by extension) To deck out (a place or something) with showy but cheap ornaments; to make gaudy. (figuratively) To give (something) a false or superficial attractiveness. [...] Merry Christmas from all of us at the English Wiktionary!

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