Main Entry: ¹gild

Pronunciation: \ˈgild\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): gild·ed \ˈgil-dəd\ or gilt \ˈgilt\; gild·ing

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English gyldan; akin to Old English gold gold

Date: 14th century

1 : to overlay with or as if with a thin covering of gold
2 a : to give money to b : to give an attractive but often deceptive appearance to c archaic : to make bloody

— gild·er noun

— gild the lily : to add unnecessary ornamentation to something beautiful in its own right