tassel

C1 Topic:Clothing & Appearance

Also spelled tasselled

US /ˈtæsəl/ UK /ˈtæsəl/ See IPA manual

Freq #45588

Meanings

1

noun
a decorative bunch of threads or cords tied together at one end and left hanging at the other

A gold tassel hung from each corner of the cushion.
2

noun
the branching flower cluster at the top of a maize plant that produces pollen

The corn tassel released a cloud of pollen in the wind.
3

noun
a loose tuft of hair or fibers at the end of a braid or cord

A bright tassel finished the end of her braid.
4

verb
to decorate something with tassels

The costume maker chose to tassel the cape with red silk.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · a decorative bunch of... tuft fringe ornament

2 noun · the branching flower... panicleflower cluster

3 noun · a loose tuft of hair or... tuft fringe

4 verb · to decorate something with... fringe decorate

Word family

Derived forms tasselweed

Related forms paniclebraid cord

Etymology

From Middle English tassel, through Old French from Latin taxillus, 'small die,' a diminutive of talus, 'anklebone.' The comparison was probably with the small knob or ball at the top of the hanging ornament.

Topics

Clothing & Appearance

External links

# tassel

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C1
**Part of speech:** noun, verb
**IPA (US):** /ˈtæsəl/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈtæsəl/
**Frequency rank:** 45588

## Meanings
1. a decorative bunch of threads or cords tied together at one end and left hanging at the other
2. the branching flower cluster at the top of a maize plant that produces pollen
3. a loose tuft of hair or fibers at the end of a braid or cord
4. to decorate something with tassels

## Examples
- A gold tassel hung from each corner of the cushion.
- The corn tassel released a cloud of pollen in the wind.
- A bright tassel finished the end of her braid.
- The costume maker chose to tassel the cape with red silk.

## Synonyms
- tuft
- fringe
- ornament

## Derived Forms
- tasselweed

## Related Forms
- panicle
- braid
- cord

## Etymology
From Middle English tassel, through Old French from Latin taxillus, 'small die,' a diminutive of talus, 'anklebone.' The comparison was probably with the small knob or ball at the top of the hanging ornament.

## Topics
- Clothing & Appearance

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