Definition of Gild the lily

1. Verb. Adorn unnecessarily (something that is already beautiful).

Exact synonyms: Paint The Lily
Generic synonyms: Adorn, Beautify, Decorate, Embellish, Grace, Ornament

2. Verb. Make unnecessary additions to what is already complete.
Exact synonyms: Paint The Lily
Generic synonyms: Add

Definition of Gild the lily

1. Verb. (idiomatic) To embellish or improve something unnecessarily. ¹

2. Verb. To add superfluous attributes to something. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of Gild The Lily

gigs
gigster
gigsters
gigue
gigues
gila monster
gilalite
gilas
gilbert
gilbert's disease
gilbertite
gilberts
gilcup
gilcups
gild
gild the lily
gilded
gilded cage
gilded cages
gilded flicker
gilded the lily
gilden
gilder
gilders
gildhall
gildhalls
gilding
gilding metal
gilding the lily
gildings

Literary usage of Gild the lily

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of English Usage by Inc. Merriam-Webster (1994)
"See also FREE GIFT. gild the lily This idiomatic phrase is cited as a misquotation by ... Of course, those who use gild the lily are not actually quoting ..."

2. The New Jerusalem by Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1921)
"And if we wonder at the way in which they seem to gild the lily, they would wonder quite as much at the way we gild the weed. There are countless other ..."

3. The Victrola Book of the Opera: Stories of the Operas with Illustrations by Samuel Holland Rous, Victor Talking Machine Company (1921)
"This number is so familiar that to describe it would be to gild the lily. Its depth of feeling, however, and the spontaneity of its melody make it one of ..."

4. Theatre Arts by Society of Arts and Crafts, Detroit (1922)
"In a word we gild the lily. But apart from the Japanese, these plays have little quality or value in themselves of style or horror or beauty. ..."

5. Macmillan's Magazine by David Masson, George Grove, John Morley, Mowbray Morris (1891)
"I always privately wish that he had written Shot close together, but why gild the lily? Still better is that gorgeous stanza of names : Warwick in blood did ..."

6. Essays in English Literature, 1780-1860 by George Saintsbury (1895)
"I always privately wish that he had written Shot close together, but why gild the lily ? Still better is that gorgeous stanza of names: Warwick in blood did ..."

7. The Theatre, the Drama, the Girls by George Jean Nathan (1921)
"... is a good comedian simply because God made him one and because he has the sound sense not to attempt, with grotesque wigs and paints, to gild the lily. ..."

8. A Very Public Offering: A Rebel's Story of Business Excess, Success, and by Stephan Paternot (2002)
"By Christmas 1998, we'd done tons of press and we were everywhere—even Europe (a European press tour in the spring of 1998 had helped gild the lily). ..."

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