gild the lily
To embellish or improve something unnecessarily.
ADJ.
entire, needed, outside
VERB + GILD
need, trade
GILD + NOUN
dan, lily, medals, myself, victory
PREP.
with
verb
To cover with a thin layer of gold; to cover with gold leaf.
High above the city, on a tall column, stood the statue of the Happy Prince. He was gilded all over with thin leaves of fine gold, for eyes he had two bright sapphires, and a large red ruby glowed on his sword-hilt.
To adorn.
I will make fast the doors, and gild myself With some more ducats, and be with you straight.
To decorate with a golden surface appearance.
Gild the entire outside with beaten egg yolk, and sprinkle it with grated parmesan.
To give a bright or pleasing aspect to.
When sparkling stars twire not, thou gild'st the even.
To give a brilliant colour or flush to one's face; (also) to make appear drunk.
[Alonso] And Trinculo is reeling-ripe: vvhere sſhould they Finde this grand Liquor that hath gilded'em? Hovv cam'ſt thou in this pickle?
noun
Archaic spelling of guild.
No trade gild might be started without the consent of the whole body of hanasters, who would insist that the regulations were not harmful to the burgesses as a whole; […]
To embellish or improve something unnecessarily.
High above the city, on a tall column, stood the statue of the Happy Prince. He was gilded all over with thin leaves of fine gold, for eyes he had two bright sapphires, and a large red ruby glowed on
WiktionaryI will make fast the doors, and gild myself With some more ducats, and be with you straight.
WiktionaryGild the entire outside with beaten egg yolk, and sprinkle it with grated parmesan.
WiktionaryNo trade gild might be started without the consent of the whole body of hanasters, who would insist that the regulations were not harmful to the burgesses as a whole; […]
WiktionaryWho would gild a lily?
Tatoeba · #2119611One can never gild shit so it does not smell.
Tatoeba · #3501095i Register
In some senses, gild is marked as archaic. Watch for register when choosing this word.