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.

Nearby words

gilded, gilded age, gilded cage, gilder, gildhall, gilding, gilead, gileadite, gilels, giles, gilet

Origin of gilding

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

Definition for gilding (2 of 2)

gild

[ 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

1300–50; Middle English gilden, Old English -gyldan; akin to gold

Related forms

gild·a·ble, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for gilding

Gilding and tinsel were no longer bright to her, silks and velvet were no longer soft.
The Bertrams|Anthony Trollope
For this he was gilded all over, and this gilding suited him and his family very well.
What the Moon Saw: and Other Tales|Hans Christian Andersen
The lily might be no better for the gilding, but it displayed her charm to the full.
A Top-Floor Idyl|George van Schaick
Their hulls are rich in gilding and in colors—green, red, pink, and blue.
With the French in France and Salonika|Richard Harding Davis

It was just a cheerful little tune such as they sang in church about morning gilding the skies.
Arundel|Edward Frederic Benson

British Dictionary definitions for gilding (1 of 3)

gilding

/ (ˈɡɪldɪŋ) /

noun

the act or art of applying gilt to a surface

the surface so produced

another word for gilt 1 (def. 2)

British Dictionary definitions for gilding (2 of 3)

gild

/ (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, noun

Word Origin for gild

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

British Dictionary definitions for gilding (3 of 3)

gild

/ (ɡɪld) /

noun

a variant spelling of guild (def. 2)

Derived Forms

gildsman, 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