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? Dryden.
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. Cowper.