gild
UK: ɡɪld | US: ɡɪld
vt. to cover thinly with gold
vt. to give a deceptively attractive appearance to something
n. (archaic) a guild or association
The word "gild" originates from Old English gyldan, meaning "to cover with gold." It is related to the noun "gold" (Old English gold) and shares Proto-Germanic roots (gulþą). Over time, the verb expanded metaphorically to mean "to give a superficial attractiveness" (e.g., "gild the lily"). The archaic noun form meaning "guild" stems from a separate but homophonic Old English word geld (payment/tribute), which later merged in spelling due to phonetic similarity.
The artisan will gild the frame with gold leaf.
Politicians often gild their promises to win votes.
In medieval times, craftsmen formed a gild to protect their trade.
She gilded the edges of the book to make it look luxurious.
His apology was just an attempt to gild his earlier rudeness.