Definition of gilt

The word "gilt" originates from the Middle English word "gylt," which means "to cover with gold leaf" or "to coat with gold." The origin of this word can be traced back to the Old Norse word "gelta," which means "to pay." During the Middle Ages, gold leaf was commonly used to decorate or embellish religious objects and artifacts. This practice was known as "guilding." The method of coating objects with gold leaf was costly, and it was considered a luxury. Over time, the word "gilt" came to be associated not only with the process of covering objects with gold leaf but also with the finished product itself. Today, "gilt" is commonly used to describe objects or surfaces that have been coated with gold leaf or paint. In summary, the word "gilt" evolved from the Middle English word "gylt," which meant "to cover with gold leaf" or "to coat with gold," and was derived from the Old Norse word "gelta," which meant "to pay" due to the high cost of using gold leaf to adorn objects during the Middle Ages.