tass

n. [ OE., a fastening of a mantle, OF. tassel a fastening, clasp, F. tasseau a bracket, Fr. L. taxillus a little die, dim. of talus a die of a longish shape, rounded on two sides and marked only on the other four, a knuckle bone. ] 1. A pendent ornament, attached to the corners of cushions, to curtains, and the like, ending in a tuft of loose threads or cords. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The flower or head of some plants, esp. when pendent. [ 1913 Webster ]

And the maize field grew and ripened, Till it stood in all the splendor
Of its garments green and yellow,
Of its tassels and its plumage. Longfellow. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A narrow silk ribbon, or the like, sewed to a book to be put between the leaves. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Arch.) A piece of board that is laid upon a wall as a sort of plate, to give a level surface to the ends of floor timbers; -- rarely used in the United States. [ 1913 Webster ]

Tassel flower (Bot.), a name of several composite plants of the genus Cineraria, especially the Cineraria sconchifolia, and of the blossoms which they bear. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Teasel. ] A kind of bur used in dressing cloth; a teasel. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To adorn with tassels. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Tasseled r Tasselled; p. pr. & vb. n. Tasseling or Tasselling. ] To put forth a tassel or flower; as, maize tassels. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Falconry) A male hawk. See Tercel. [ 1913 Webster ]