glitter

Etymology

From Middle English gliteren, from Old Norse glitra, from Proto-Germanic *glitrōną (“to glitter”), from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰley-.

noun

1. A bright, sparkling light; shininess or brilliance.
   This to them seems most like mother earth in color, and therefore best, as it is, to enhance the beauty of flowers instead of detracting from their exquisite shades. What a contrast to the glitter and show of our silver vases, which represent generally little else but their cost. 1913, Mary Averill, Japanese flower arrangement, Chapter 20
2. A shiny, decorative adornment, sometimes sprinkled on glue to make simple artwork.
3. (figurative) Glitz.

verb

1. To sparkle with light; to shine with a brilliant and broken light or showy luster; to gleam.
   a glittering sword
   the glittering ornaments on a Christmas tree
2. To be showy, specious, or striking, and hence attractive.
   the glittering scenes of a court