1 gild | Definition of gild

gild

verb
\ ˈgild How to pronounce gild (audio) \
gilded\ ˈgil-​dÉ™d How to pronounce gilded (audio) \ or gilt\ ˈgilt How to pronounce gilt (audio) \; gilding

Definition of gild

 (Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to overlay with or as if with a thin covering of gold
2a : to give money to
b : to give an attractive but often deceptive appearance to was hired to gild the company's image
c archaic : to make bloody
gild the lily
: to add unnecessary ornamentation to something beautiful in its own right

gild

noun

less common spelling of

1 : an association of people with similar interests or pursuits especially : a medieval association of merchants or craftsmen
2 : a group of organisms that use the same ecological resource in a similar way a feeding guild

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Other Words from gild

Verb

gilder noun

Examples of gild in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Their daughter, Empress Elizabeth, remodeled the building to its current glory—outfitting it with elaborate blue and white exteriors and gilding on nearly every surface inside. — Jennifer Billock, Smithsonian, "From Nazi Prisons to Cat Sanctuaries, Explore the Many Lives of These Russian Palaces," 19 Aug. 2019 Khaled el-Anany told reporters that work on the outermost coffin, which is made of wood and gilded with gold, is expected to take at least eight months. — chicagotribune.com, "Egypt begins first-ever restoration work on King Tut’s golden coffin," 4 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gild.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of gild

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for gild

Verb

Middle English, from Old English gyldan; akin to Old English gold gold

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More Definitions for gild

gild

verb

English Language Learners Definition of gild

: to cover (something) with a thin layer of gold

gild

verb
\ ˈgild How to pronounce gild (audio) \
gilded or gilt\ ˈgilt \; gilding

Kids Definition of gild

: to cover with a thin coating of gold gilded doors

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More from Merriam-Webster on gild

Spanish Central: Translation of gild

Nglish: Translation of gild for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gild

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