tassel

[ tas-uhl ]

noun

1. a pendent ornament consisting commonly of a bunch of threads, small cords, or other strands hanging from a roundish knob or head, used on clothing, in jewelry, on curtains, etc.
2. something resembling this, as the inflorescence of certain plants, especially that at the summit of a stalk of corn.

verb (used with object)

, tas·seled, tas·sel·ing or (especially British) tas·selled, tas·sel·ling.

1. to furnish or adorn with tassels.
2. to form into a tassel or tassels.
3. to remove the tassel from (growing corn) in order to improve the crop.

verb (used without object)

, tas·seled, tas·sel·ing or (especially British) tas·selled, tas·sel·ling.

1. (of corn) to put forth tassels (often followed by out ).

tassel

/ ˈtæsəl /

noun

1. a tuft of loose threads secured by a knot or ornamental knob, used to decorate soft furnishings, clothes, etc
2. anything resembling this tuft, esp the tuft of stamens at the tip of a maize inflorescence

verb

1. tr to adorn with a tassel or tassels
2. intr (of maize) to produce stamens in a tuft
3. tr to remove the tassels from

Derived Forms

• ˈtasselly, adjective

Other Words From

• tassel·er especially British, tassel·ler noun
• tassel·ly especially British, tassel·ly adjective
• de·tassel verb (used with object) detasseled detasseling or (especially British) detasselled detasselling
• un·tasseled adjective
• un·tasselled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tassel¹

1250–1300; Middle English (noun) < Old French tas ( s ) el fastening for cloak < Vulgar Latin *tassellus, blend of Latin tessella (diminutive of tessera die for gaming) and taxillus (diminutive of tālus die for gaming). See tessellate, talus ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of tassel¹

C13: from Old French, from Vulgar Latin tassellus (unattested), changed from Latin taxillus a small die, from tālus gaming die

Example Sentences

The tassel produces pollen, which is the semen of the plant world.

From Popular-Science

Matt was placing tassels in the graduation boxes, and everything was perfectly laid out.

From Washington Post

She stared absently at the silk tassel, twirling it about her white fingers more and more rapidly.

From Project Gutenberg

Then, resuming his cape and Belgian cap, with its tassel over his forehead, he went out into the street again.

From Project Gutenberg

He wore a nightcap with a tassel, and for days never left his room, occasionally appearing in a faded peacock-blue dressing-gown.

From Project Gutenberg

Cordelia was making the tassel for one corner, and Alma Lane one for another.

From Project Gutenberg

But Tilly only laughed, and Cordelia forgot her question with the last stitch she put into her tassel.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• brink
• edge
• hem
• outskirts
• perimeter
• periphery
• skirt
• verge