tassel

noun tas·sel \ ˈta-səl , usually of corn ˈtä- , ˈtȯ- \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of tassel

1 : a dangling ornament made by laying parallel a bunch of cords or threads of even length and fastening them at one end

2 : something resembling a tassel; especially : the terminal male inflorescence of some plants and especially corn

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Recent Examples of tassel from the Web

What are those tassel-looking things falling from live oak trees?

— contributing writer, NOLA.com, "How to pick the best orchids for interior design," 10 Apr. 2018
The lower-case g actually comes in two typographic forms: The fish hook, a circle with a left facing curl beneath it, and the loop-tail, two closed, connected circles with a sort of rightward-facing tassel on the top one.

— jeffrey kluger, Time, "Almost Nobody Can Write This Letter of the Alphabet Correctly," 4 Apr. 2018
At Arizona State University’s graduation fair last week, students waited in line to order caps, gowns, tassels, stoles, diploma frames, class t-shirts.

— rachel leingang, azcentral, "Want to participate in your graduation from an Arizona university? It will cost you," 28 Mar. 2018
For a standard cap, gown and tassel option, undergraduate students will pay more than $60.

— rachel leingang, azcentral, "Want to participate in your graduation from an Arizona university? It will cost you," 28 Mar. 2018
The jumping off point was a green and cream seaweed trellis textile by Soane Britain trimmed with Samuel & Sons tassels, that Barfield Thompson used for the tablecloth and ballroom chair cushions.

— sarah bray, Town & Country, "How To Pull Off a Summery Tablescape in the Dead of Winter," 20 Feb. 2018
Misfit makes sport, stainless steel, nylon, leather, nylon tassel, and double leather wrap bands for the Ray, with the most expensive adding just $20 to the cost of the device.

— valentina palladino, Ars Technica, "Guidemaster: Fitness trackers to consider before buying a smartwatch," 24 Jan. 2018
Dramatic furry hats topped the looks and jewelry included geometric shapes and tassels.

— Washington Post, "Armani rejects overdone emotion, Ferragamo favors color," 24 Feb. 2018
Paula Knorr silk-blend velvet dress, $1,322 at matchesfashion.com; Gucci opaque stretch-jersey tights, $95 at ssense.com; Gianvito Rossi suede pumps, $675 at net-a-porter.com; Topshop tassel earrings, $22 at Topshop, us.topshop.com.

— hayley phelan, New York Times, "How to Do Head-to-Toe Red IRL," 21 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tassel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of tassel

Origin and Etymology of tassel

Middle English, clasp, tassel, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *tassellus, alteration of Latin taxillus small die; akin to Latin talus anklebone, die

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First Known Use: 14th century

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