Gild, v. t.
[imp. & p. p. GILDED or GILT; p. pr. & vb. n. GILDING.] [A-S. gildan, gyldan, from gold, gold, gylden, golden, Dan. forgylde, Ger. vergolden. See GOLD.] 1. To overlay or overspread with a thin covering of gold; as, a gilt frame; hence, to cover or color with a gold-like color. Her joy in gilded chariots when alive, And love of ombre, after death survive. Pope. No more the rising sun shall gild the morn. Pope. 2. To illuminate; to brighten. South. Let oft good humor, mild and gay, Gild the calm evening of your day. Trumbull.
- To give a fair and agreeable external appearance to; to recommend or set off by superficial decoration; as, to gild flattery or falsehood.
- To make drunk. [Obs.]
Trinculo is reeling ripe; where should they Find this grand liquor that hath gilded them? Shak.