Dictionary.com
definitions

gilding

[ gil-ding ]
/ ˈgɪl dɪŋ /
|

noun

the application of gilt.
the gold leaf or other material with which something is gilded.
the golden surface produced by the application of gilt.
something used to create a deceptively pleasing, impressive, or alluring aspect or character.

RELATED WORDS

bedeck, adorn, plate, varnish, whitewash, paint, deck, enrich, ornament, brighten, wash, beautify, coat, enhance, overlay, garnish, glitter, grace, embroider, tinsel

Nearby words

  1. gilded,
  2. gilded age,
  3. gilded cage,
  4. gilder,
  5. gildhall,
  6. gilds,
  7. gilead,
  8. gileadite,
  9. gilels,
  10. giles

Origin of gilding

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at gild1, -ing1

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.

Origin of gild

1
1300–50; Middle English gilden, Old English -gyldan; akin to gold
Related formsgild·a·ble, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for gilding

British Dictionary definitions for gilding

gilding

/ (ˈɡɪldɪŋ) /

noun

the act or art of applying gilt to a surface
the surface so produced
another word for gilt 1 (def. 2)

gild

1
/ (ɡɪld) /

verb gilds, gilding, gilded or gilt (ɡɪlt) (tr)

to cover with or as if with gold
gild the lily
  1. to adorn unnecessarily something already beautiful
  2. to praise someone inordinately
to give a falsely attractive or valuable appearance to
archaic to smear with blood
Derived Formsgilder, noun

Word Origin for gild

Old English gyldan, from gold gold; related to Old Norse gylla, Middle High German vergülden

gild

2
/ (ɡɪld) /

noun

a variant spelling of guild (def. 2)
Derived Formsgildsman, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for gilding
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper