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gild the lily

phrase

: to add unnecessary ornamentation to something beautiful in its own right

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gilding metal
gild the lily
Gilead
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“Gild the lily.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gild%20the%20lily. Accessed 19 Dec. 2025.

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Last Updated: - Definition revised
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