spangle
/ˈspaŋɡ(ə)l
/noun
1A small thin piece of glittering material, typically sewn as one of many on clothing for decoration; a sequin: we were dressed for the show in leotards covered with silver spangles...
- A galaxy of spangles and silver coins glitters across each back.
- Dignity is overrated, especially when surrounded by so much spangle and sequin.
- And the costumes: They can't have too many spangles.
1.1A spot of bright colour or light: the fish is spotted with spangles of colour...
- He turned the image, held it six inches from my face while I examined the spangle of reflected light.
verb [with object] (usually as adjective spangled)
Cover with spangles or other small sparkling objects: a spangled dress...
- The cape and gloves were spangled with purple glitter, as were his jester shoes and the headband of his hat, both of which had sparkling amethysts dangling from their ends instead of the usual bells.
- His compendious book ranges from dry speculation on geology to exquisite description of flora, spangled with remarkably apt epigrams.
- The moonlit night was cool, almost chill, clear, spangled with stars, and no longer soaked with rain.
Derivatives
spangly
- The bridge is busy on market days with old ladies going shopping, wiry farmers carrying shoulder poles hung with live ducks, and young women in spangly shoes carrying umbrellas to keep themselves out of the sun.
- It's a traditional, in-your-face, spangly panto and a fabulous family night out!
- Let's face it, even ignoring the lyrics, it's a spangly, sparkly pink feather boa of a song.
Origin
Late Middle English: diminutive from obsolete spang 'glittering ornament', from Middle Dutch spange 'buckle'.