gild
gild
/ɡɪld/
To cover thinly with gold leaf or gold paint; to give a specious or false brilliance to something.
In physical crafts, 'gild' refers to applying gold leaf to frames, paper edges, or sculptures. Metaphorically, it means to make something look more attractive or valuable than it actually is.
The story behind the word. The word comes from the Old English verb 'gyldan', which was derived directly from the noun 'gold'. It has remained virtually unchanged in meaning for over a thousand years, always referring to the act of covering a surface with a thin layer of gold.
Word relationships
- plate: 'Plate' refers to coating a metal with another metal using electroplating, while 'gild' specifically refers to applying gold leaf or gold paint, often to non-metallic surfaces like wood or paper.
- tarnish: To tarnish is to lose luster or discolor, whereas to gild is to add brilliant gold shine.
Commonly confused with
- guild: A 'guild' is an association of craftsmen or merchants, while 'gild' is the verb meaning to cover with gold.
Word family
- gilded (adjective): Covered thinly with gold leaf or gold paint.
- gilding (noun): The decorative technique of applying fine gold leaf or powder to solid surfaces.
Collocations
- gild the lily
- gild with gold leaf
- gilded frame
- gilded age
Idioms & expressions
- gild the lily (to adorn something that is already beautiful, resulting in tasteless excess)
Example sentences
- "The artisan chose to gild the frame to give it a luxurious look that matched the oil painting." A tutorial on antique frame restoration.
- "To gild refined gold, to paint the lily... is wasteful and ridiculous excess." A classic literary quote. (William Shakespeare, King John)
Memory hook
Think of a 'gilt' frame. It is 'gilded' with gold, making it look 'guilt-free' and expensive. Gild means to cover with gold.
When not to use
Do not use 'gild' if you are solid-casting an object out of pure gold; it must refer to a thin surface coating.
Fun facts
- The term 'Gilded Age' (coined by Mark Twain) was a satirical comment on late 19th-century America, suggesting that the era's serious social problems were masked by a thin, glittering layer of gold.
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