tassel
pronunciation
How to pronounce tassel in British English:
UK [ˈtæsl]
How to pronounce tassel in American English:
US [ˈtæsəl]
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- Noun:
- adornment consisting of a bunch of cords fastened at one end
Word Origin
- tassel (n.)
- c. 1300, "mantle fastener," from Old French tassel "tassel, fringe, hem; a fastening, clasp" (12c., Modern French tasseau), from Vulgar Latin *tassellus, said to be from Latin taxillus "small die or cube," a diminutive of talus "knucklebone (used as a die in gaming), ankle" (see talus (n.1)). But OED finds this doubtful and calls attention to the variant form tossel and suggests association with toss (v.). Meaning "hanging bunch of small cords" is first recorded late 14c.
Example
- 1. The corn has begun to tassel .
- 2. Young ear and tassel culture and plant regeneration in maize .
- 3. Qtl mapping for heat tolerance of the tassel period of rice .
- 4. The scientists were jerry merryman , james van tassel and jack kilby .
- 5. The dynamic changes of plant hormones content in photoperiod-temperature sensitive tassel deficiency line of maize .