Definition of gild

The word "gild" comes from the Old English word "gyldan," which meant "to coat with gold." This word is derived from the Germanic root "gultha," which shares a common origin with the modern German word "golden" (golden). Over time, the meaning of "gild" has expanded beyond just coating something with gold. Today, "gild" can also refer to decorating an object with other materials, such as silver or bronze, as well as applying a thin layer of a different material in order to provide a decorative effect, even if the underlying object is not actually made of that material. In its original form, "gyldan" was primarily used to describe the coating of valuable objects, such as jewelry or religious artifacts, with gold. This use of gold as a decorative material was especially common during medieval times, when gold was associated with grandeur, wealth, and religious significance. As a result, many valuable objects from this time period are still referred to as being gilded, even though they may not actually be made entirely of gold. Overall, the word "gild" serves as a reminder of the longstanding tradition of using gold as a decorative material, and highlights the ways in which this tradition has evolved over time.