GILD, verb transitive preterit tense and participle passive gilded or gilt.

1. To overlay with gold, either in leaf or powder, or in amalgam with quicksilver; to overspread with a thin covering of gold; as the gilt frame of a mirror.

Her joy in gilded chariots when alive,

And love of ombre after death survive.

2. To cover with any yellow matter.

3. To adorn with luster; to render bright.

No more the rising sun shall gild the morn.

4. To illuminate; to brighten.

Let oft good humor, mild and gay,

GILD the calm evening of your day.

5. To give a fair and agreeable external appearance; to recommend to favor and reception by superficial decoration; as, to gild flattery or falsehood.