spangle

Meanings

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. A shiny particle of a mineral.
4. A star.
5. A point of light; also (rare), a glitter, a sparkle.
6. A speckle or spot, especially on the body of an animal.
7. Any of a number of swallowtail butterflies (genus Papilio); specifically Papilio protenor.

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

1. A surname.

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.