gilt Definition

gild¹
verb gilded, gilt, gilding

1. To cover something with a thin coating of gold or something similar.

Thesaurus: overlay, plate, wash, tinsel, electroplate, coat.
2. To give something a falsely attractive or valuable appearance.

Idiom: gild the lily

To try to improve something which is already beautiful enough, often spoiling it in the process.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon, from gyldan gold.

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gilt¹
adj

1. Covered with a thin coating of gold or apparently so covered; gilded.

Thesaurus: glittering, showy, gaudy, specious, meretricious, painted, gleaming, lustrous, golden.

noun

1. Gold or a gold-like substance used in gilding.
2. Gilt-edged securities.

Form: gilts
3. Glitter; superficial attractiveness; glamour.

1. Verb past tense, past participle of gild¹.

Idiom: take the gilt off the gingerbread

To destroy the glamour or illusion.

Etymology: 14c.

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gilt²
noun

1. A young female pig, especially one that has not produced a litter.

Etymology: 15c: from Norse gyltr.