tinselling

/T IH1 N S AH0 L IH0 NG/
noun
  1. 1

    (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.

  2. 2

    (by extension) (figuratively) Anything shining and gaudy; especially something superficially shiny and showy, or having a false lustre, and more pretty than valuable.

  3. 3

    A silk or wool fabric with gold or silver thread woven into it; brocade.

  4. 4

    A very thin, gauzelike cloth with gold or silver (or, later, copper) thread woven into it, or overlaid with thin metal plates.

  5. 5

    (obsolete) A shining fabric used for ornamental purposes.

  6. 6

    (obsolete) Damage, detriment; loss.

  7. 7

    (law, archaic) Deprivation; forfeiture.

adjective
  1. 1

    (by extension) (figuratively) Apparently beautiful and costly but having little value; superficially attractive; gaudy, showy, tawdry.

  2. 2

    (obsolete) Of fabric: ornamented by being woven with gold or silver thread, or overlaid with thin metal plates; brocaded.

  3. 3

    (by extension) (obsolete) Glittering.

verb
  1. 1

    To adorn (something) with tinsel.

  2. 2

    (by extension) To deck out (a place or something) with showy but cheap ornaments; to make gaudy.

  3. 3

    (figuratively) To give (something) a false or superficial attractiveness.

  4. 4

    (also figuratively) To ornament (fabric, etc.) by weaving into it thread of gold, silver, or some other shiny material.

  5. 5

    (transitive, Scotland, obsolete, rare) To cause (someone) damage or loss; also, to impose a fine on (someone); to mulct.