gilt1
[gilt]
- a simple past tense and past participle of gild1.
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- gilded.
- gold in color; golden.
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- the thin layer of gold or other material applied in gilding.
- gilt-edged security.
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gilt2
[gilt]
- a young female swine, especially one that has not produced a litter.
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Origin of gilt2
1300–50; Middle English gilte < Old Norse gylta
gild1
[gild]
- 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.
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- 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.
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Origin of gild1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
goldengaudypaintedsparklinggleaminglustrousalloyedtinselplatedoverlaidmeretriciousshinyshowyspeciousExamples from the Web for gilt
Contemporary Examples
There was no mistaking this for the gaudiness and gilt of made-for-TV awards shows.
While sites like Gilt may carry many of the same marquee designers, so far, their bargains have not been comparable.
Ruth Reichl recently took on the role of editorial adviser at Gilt Taste.
Susan LyneChairman, Gilt Groupe Susan Lyne serves as Chairman of Gilt Groupe.
Above a couch, the last supper is rendered in marble and mounted to the wall in a gilt frame.
Historical Examples
On them were engraved in gilt letters, "The Peninsula" and "Waterloo."
The Autobiography of Sergeant William LawrenceWilliam Lawrence
Tris had on his best uniform––blue broadcloth and gilt buttons.
A Singer from the SeaAmelia Edith Huddleston Barr
Nice, slick-lookin' craft she was, too, all varnish and gilt gorgeousness.
The Depot MasterJoseph C. Lincoln
And I can believe in the gilt; the genuine part is what I am most doubtful of.
Cap'n Dan's DaughterJoseph C. Lincoln
Yes, they are in gold; but let him believe that they are in gilt brass.
The Memoires of Casanova, CompleteJacques Casanova de Seingalt
gilt1
- a past tense and past participle of gild 1
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- gold or a substance simulating it, applied in gilding
- another word for gilding (def. 1), gilding (def. 2)
- superficial or false appearance of excellence; glamour
- a gilt-edged security
- take the gilt off the gingerbread to destroy the part of something that gives it its appeal
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- covered with or as if with gold or gilt; gilded
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gilt2
- a young female pig, esp one that has not had a litter
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Word Origin
C15: from Old Norse gyltr; related to Old English gelte, Old High German gelza, Middle Low German gelte
gild1
- 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
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Word Origin
Old English gyldan, from gold gold; related to Old Norse gylla, Middle High German vergülden
gild2
- a variant spelling of guild (def. 2)
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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 gilt
adj.
c.1400, past participle of Middle English gilden, from Old English gyldan (see gild). Also used as a noun with a sense of "gilding" (early 15c.).
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gild
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper