spangle

Meaning

Noun

1. A small, flat piece of sparkling metallic or metal-like material with a hole which is sewn on to a garment, etc., for decoration; a sequin.
2. Any small sparkling object.
3. Any small sparkling object.
4. (figuratively) Any small sparkling object.
5. (broadly) A point of light; also (rare), a glitter, a sparkle.
6. (broadly) A speckle or spot, especially on the body of an animal.
7. Any of a number of swallowtail butterflies (genus Papilio); specifically Papilio protenor.

Verb

1. (also, figuratively, transitive) To fix spangles or sparkling objects to (something); to bespangle.
2. (figuratively, transitive) To adorn or decorate (something).
3. (intransitive) To flash, glitter, or sparkle.

Synonyms

sequin

tinsel

bespangle

trumpery

twinkle

flash

paillette

decorate

shimmer

diamante

gleam

jewel

spark

sparkler

🎇

trinket

knick-knackery

tchotchke

chachka

tsatske

adorn

tshatshke

bauble

bejewel

bijou

blazon

brummagem

deck

foil

garnish

gaud

glitter

Translations

lustrino

paillette

lentejuela

lluentó

payet

pul

Flitter

pailette

Paillette

pailettes

paillette

lantejoula

fronzolo

γαρνίρω με πούλιες

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈspæŋɡ(ə)l/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: spangel

Cognate with Dutch: spang

In summary

The noun is derived from Middle English spangel (“small piece of ornamental metal, spangle; small ornament”) [and other forms], from spang (“small piece of ornamental metal, spangle; small ornament; type of bowl or cup”) + -el (diminutive suffix). Spang is derived from Middle Dutch spange, spaenge (“buckle, clasp; brooch; spangle”) (modern Dutch spang (“clasp; hook; metal hairband; metal pin”)), from Middle Low German spangel (“small chain or clasp”), from Proto-Germanic *spangō (“brooch; clasp”); further etymology uncertain, possibly from Proto-Indo-European *(s)penh₁- (“to twist; to weave”). The English word is analysable as spang + -le (diminutive suffix).
The verb is derived from the noun.