tassel1
¦ noun
1. a tuft of hanging threads, knotted together at one end and used for decoration in soft furnishing and clothing.
2. the tufted head of some plants, especially a flower head with prominent stamens at the top of a maize stalk.
¦ verb (tassels, tasselling, tasselled; US tassels, tasseling, tasseled)
1. provide with a tassel or tassels.
2. N. Amer. (of maize or other plants) form tassels.
Derivatives
tasselled adjective
Origin
ME: from OFr. tassel 'clasp', of unknown origin.
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tassel2
¦ noun a small piece of stone or wood supporting the end of a beam or joist.
Origin
C17: from obs. Fr., from L. taxillus 'small die'.