Definition of SPANGLE

spangle

Plural: spangle, spangled, spangles

Noun

  • adornment consisting of a small piece of shiny material used to decorate clothing
  • 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.
  • Any small sparkling object.
  • A shiny particle of a mineral.
  • Any small sparkling object.
  • A star.
  • Any small sparkling object.
  • A point of light; also (rare), a glitter, a sparkle.
  • A speckle or spot, especially on the body of an animal.
  • Any of a number of swallowtail butterflies (genus Papilio); specifically Papilio protenor.

Verb

  • glitter as if covered with spangles
  • decorate with spangles
    • "the star-spangled banner"
  • To fix spangles or sparkling objects to (something); to bespangle.
  • To adorn or decorate (something).
  • To flash, glitter, or sparkle.
  • -GLED, -GLING, -GLES to adorn with spangles (bits of sparkling metal)

Origin / Etymology

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.

Scrabble Score: 10

spangle: valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
spangle: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
spangle: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 14

spangle is a valid Words With Friends word