English terms dictionary. 2015.
Tassel — Tas sel, n. [OE., a fastening of a mantle, OF. tassel a fastening, clasp, F. tasseau a bracket, Fr. L. taxillus a little die, dim. of talus a die of a longish shape, rounded on two sides and marked only on the other four, a knuckle bone.] 1. A… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Tassel — Tas sel, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Tasseled}or {Tasselled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Tasseling} or {Tasselling}.] To put forth a tassel or flower; as, maize tassels. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
tassel — (n.) c.1300, mantle fastener, from O.Fr. tassel a fastening, clasp (mid 12c.), from V.L. *tassellus, said to be from L. taxillus small die or cube, a dim. of talus knucklebone, ankle (see TALUS (Cf. talus) (1)). But OED finds this doubtful and… … Etymology dictionary
tassel — tassel1 [tas′əl] n. [ME < OFr, knob, knot, button < VL * tassellus, altered < L taxillus, a small die (akin to talus, ankle), based on L tessella, small cube, piece of mosaic] 1. Obs. a clasp or fibula 2. an ornamental tuft of threads,… … English World dictionary
Tassel — Tas sel, n. (Falconry) A male hawk. See {Tercel}. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Tassel — Tas sel, n. [See {Teasel}.] A kind of bur used in dressing cloth; a teasel. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Tassel — Tas sel, v. t. To adorn with tassels. Chaucer. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
tassel — The inflected forms are tasselled, tasselling in BrE and in AmE usually tasseled, tasseling … Modern English usage
Tassel — For other uses, see hilt and maize. A tassel is a binding of plaited or otherwise gathered threads from which at one end protrudes a cord on which the tassel is hung, and which may have loose, dangling threads at the other end. Tassels are… … Wikipedia
tassel — I. noun Etymology: Middle English, clasp, tassel, from Anglo French, from Vulgar Latin *tassellus, alteration of Latin taxillus small die; akin to Latin talus anklebone, die Date: 14th century 1. a dangling ornament made by laying parallel a… … New Collegiate Dictionary
