gild1
/ɡɪld
/verb [with object] (often as adjective gilded)
1Cover thinly with gold: Camelot’s gilded towers figurative the first rays of the sun were gilding the grassy hillside...
- While most were of a standard alloy of leaded bronze some were gilded or made in gold or silver.
- They came to it rather quickly, the largest building in the village that was covered in jewels and gilded with gold.
- Almost everything was gilded in gold, and the room seemed to sparkle.
Synonyms
cover with gold, paint gold, lacquer gold, inlay with gold
1.1 (as adjective gilded) Wealthy and privileged: the gilded fools who surrounded the Prince...
- He was said to be behind many of the biggest house sales, earning substantial commissions, while destroying the gilded world he inhabited.
- Even makeup has been touched by the gold rush, with shimmering powders and glitter nail varnishes in the shops to help create the gilded glamour look.
- As she contemplates a gilded future, she will perhaps be dreaming about fast cars, yachts and palatial houses.
Phrases
gild the lily
Derivatives
gilder
/ noun ...- Such results were deliberately expensive and labor intensive, requiring the most inventive designers, skilled carvers, expert gilders, and experienced glassmakers.
- The firm employed approximately one hundred specialized workers including gilders, carpenters, upholsterers, repairmen, and glaziers.
- Many artists were also gilders, frame makers, or sign and coach painters.
Origin
Old English gyldan, of Germanic origin; related to gold.
Rhymes
gild2
noun
Archaic spelling of guild.