from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Gilding \Gild"ing\ (g[i^]ld"[i^]ng), n.
1. The art or practice of overlaying or covering with gold
leaf; also, a thin coating or wash of gold, or of that
which resembles gold.
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2. Gold in leaf, powder, or liquid, for application to any
surface.
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3. Any superficial coating or appearance, as opposed to what
is solid and genuine.
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{Gilding metal}, a tough kind of sheet brass from which
cartridge shells are made.
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from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Gild \Gild\ (g[i^]ld), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Gilded} or {Gilt}
(?); p. pr. & vb. n. {Gilding}.] [AS. gyldan, from gold gold.
[root]234. See {Gold}.]
1. To overlay with a thin covering of gold; to cover with a
golden color; to cause to look like gold. "Gilded
chariots." --Pope.
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No more the rising sun shall gild the morn. --Pope.
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2. To make attractive; to adorn; to brighten.
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Let oft good humor, mild and gay,
Gild the calm evening of your day. --Trumbull.
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3. To give a fair but deceptive outward appearance to; to
embellish; as, to gild a lie. --Shak.
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4. To make red with drinking. [Obs.]
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This grand liquior that hath gilded them. --Shak.
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