Gild: meaning, definitions and examples

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gild

[ɡɪld ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

artistic

Cover thinly with gold leaf or gold paint.

Synonyms

cover with gold, overlay with gold, plate with gold.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
gild	Use when referring to applying a thin layer of gold to a surface, often metaphorically to describe making something appear more attractive than it is. They decided to gild the statue to enhance its grandeur. Sometimes people try to gild the truth to make it more appealing.
cover with gold	Used when describing the action of entirely applying gold to a surface. Usually more literal and straightforward. The artisans covered the dome with gold to reflect its importance. The jewelry designer decided to cover the bracelet with gold for a luxurious touch.
overlay with gold	Suitable for situations where gold is applied as a layer on top of another material. This term often implies a more intricate or decorative intention. The bookbinding was meticulously overlaid with gold leaf. They chose to overlay the sculpture with gold to highlight its features.
plate with gold	Typically used in industrial or manufacturing contexts where an object, usually metal, is coated with a thin layer of gold. The cutlery was plated with gold to give it a high-end finish. The company's watches are known for being plated with gold.

Examples of usage

The frame had been gilded.
She gilded the statue with gold paint.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

figurative

Give a specious or false brilliance to.

Synonyms

beautify, embellish, glorify.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
gild	Used when referring to covering something with a thin layer of gold, often in a literal or figurative sense. It can also imply making something appear more valuable or attractive than it actually is. The artist decided to gild the frame to enhance its elegance. She tried to gild the truth, making her actions seem better than they were.
embellish	Used when adding decorative details to something to make it more appealing. It can also involve adding extra details to a story, sometimes making it less truthful. She likes to embellish her clothes with sequins and lace. He's known to embellish his stories to make them more exciting.
glorify	Used when praising or honoring someone or something in a very enthusiastic way, often exaggerating its merits. Can have a negative connotation if over-exaggerated or undeserved. The monument was built to glorify the nation's heroes. Critics argue that the movie glorifies violence, making it seem acceptable.
beautify	Used when making something or someone look more beautiful or attractive. Often associated with intentional, aesthetic improvements. They hired a landscaper to beautify their garden. Volunteers helped beautify the park by planting flowers and trees.

Examples of usage

His words were gilded with promises.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

historical

Gold leaf or gold paint applied in a thin layer to a surface.

Synonyms

gold coating, gold leaf, gold paint.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
gild	Used when adding a thin layer of gold to an object to make it look more valuable or attractive. Can also metaphorically mean to make something seem better than it is. The artist decided to gild the statue to give it a more luxurious appearance. She tried to gild the reality of the situation, but everyone knew the truth.
gold leaf	Refers to thin sheets of gold used decoratively, often in art and craft. It is delicate and typically applied painstakingly by hand. The illuminated manuscript contained intricate gold leaf designs. She decorated the cake with edible gold leaf for a luxurious finish.
gold coating	Describes the application of a gold layer on various surfaces for protection, decoration, or to give the object a rich look. It implies more durability and a thicker layer compared to gilding. The electronics had a gold coating to prevent corrosion. The antique mirror had a gold coating that gave it an elegant touch.
gold paint	Used when talking about paint infused with gold particles to give objects a shimmering gold appearance. Commonly used in arts, crafts, and home decor projects. He used gold paint to highlight the frame of the picture. The chairs were covered with gold paint to match the royal theme of the event.

Examples of usage

The gild on the cathedral's dome shimmered in the sunlight.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Old English 'gyldan', which means 'to pay' or 'to cover with gold'.
Related words include 'gilt', which refers to something that has been gilded or coated with gold.
Gild has connections to the Latin word 'gildare', meaning 'to shine or brighten'.

Art and Craftsmanship

Ancient cultures used gilding techniques to embellish sculptures, architecture, and religious artifacts.
In medieval Europe, gilding was an essential technique in illuminated manuscripts, where gold leaf was applied to enhance illustrations.
Contemporary artists often blend traditional gilding methods with modern materials, creating unique visual effects.

Economics

Historically, gilding has been a symbol of wealth, often used to enhance items that signify status, such as frames or decorative objects.
Gold plating, a modern method of gilding, allows for affordable luxury goods that mimic the look of solid gold.
The practice of gilding has economic implications, influencing markets for raw gold and trading practices.

Cultural Significance

Gilded objects often represent opulence and grandeur, frequently seen in royal households and palaces.
In literature, the term 'gilded age' refers to a period marked by wealth and excess, highlighting the disparity between rich and poor.
The phrase 'all that glitters is not gold' serves as a reminder that gilding can also hide imperfections beneath its shiny surface.

Psychology

The desire for gilded items can reflect deeper psychological needs for beauty, status, or validation.
Gilding can enhance perceptions of value in products, making them more appealing to consumers due to their shiny appearance.
The allure of glimmering surfaces often invokes feelings of happiness and luxury, influencing consumer behavior.

Translations

Translations of the word "gild" in other languages:

🇵🇹 dourar

🇮🇳 सुनहरा करना

🇩🇪 vergolden

🇮🇩 melapisi emas

🇺🇦 золотити

🇵🇱 pozłacać

🇯🇵 金メッキする (きんメッキする)

🇫🇷 dorer

🇪🇸 dorar

🇹🇷 yaldızlamak

🇰🇷 금도금하다

🇸🇦 تذهيب

🇨🇿 pozlatit

🇸🇰 pozlátiť

🇨🇳 镀金 (dùjīn)

🇸🇮 pozlatiti

🇮🇸 gylla

🇰🇿 алтынмен қаптау

🇬🇪 მოქართულება

🇦🇿 qızıl ilə örtmək

🇲🇽 dorar

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,719, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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24716 piqued
24717 dexterous
24718 ouster
24719 gild
24720 bashful
24721 shrivelled
24722 dank
...