gild
1[ gild ]
/ gɪld /
verb (used with object), gild·ed or gilt, gild·ing.
to coat with gold, gold leaf, or a gold-colored substance.
to give a bright, pleasing, or specious aspect to.
Archaic. to make red, as with blood.
Nearby words
Idioms
gild the lily, to add unnecessary ornamentation, a special feature, etc., in an attempt to improve something that is already complete, satisfactory, or ideal: After that wonderful meal, serving a fancy dessert would be gilding the lily.
Origin of gild
1Related forms
gild·a·ble, adjectiveDefinition for gild (2 of 3)
Definition for gild (3 of 3)
guild
or gild
[ gild ]
/ gɪld /
noun
an organization of persons with related interests, goals, etc., especially one formed for mutual aid or protection.
any of various medieval associations, as of merchants or artisans, organized to maintain standards and to protect the interests of its members, and that sometimes constituted a local governing body.
Botany. a group of plants, as parasites, having a similar habit of growth and nutrition.
Origin of guild
before 1000; Middle English gild(e) < Old Norse gildi guild, payment; replacing Old English gegyld guild; akin to German Geld money, Gothic -gild tax
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for gild
British Dictionary definitions for gild (1 of 3)
gild
1/ (ɡɪld) /
verb gilds, gilding, gilded or gilt (ɡɪlt) (tr)
to cover with or as if with gold
gild the lily
- to adorn unnecessarily something already beautiful
- to praise someone inordinately
to give a falsely attractive or valuable appearance to
archaic to smear with blood
Derived Forms
gilder, nounWord Origin for gild
Old English gyldan, from gold gold; related to Old Norse gylla, Middle High German vergülden
British Dictionary definitions for gild (2 of 3)
Derived Forms
gildsman, nounBritish Dictionary definitions for gild (3 of 3)
guild
gild
/ (ɡɪld) /
noun
an organization, club, or fellowship
(esp in medieval Europe) an association of men sharing the same interests, such as merchants or artisans: formed for mutual aid and protection and to maintain craft standards or pursue some other purpose such as communal worship
ecology a group of plants, such as a group of epiphytes, that share certain habits or characteristics
Word Origin for guild
C14: of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse gjald payment, gildi guild; related to Old English gield offering, Old High German gelt money
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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