Lexic.us

Definition of Paint the lily

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

2. Verb. Make unnecessary additions to what is already complete.

Lexicographical Neighbors of Paint The Lily

painstaking painstakingly painstakingness painstakings painsworthy paint paint-billed crake paint-billed crakes paint-by-numbers paint a picture

paint by numbers paint leaf paint oneself into a corner paint out paint roller paint the lily (current term) paint the town paint the town red paint the wagon paint with a broad brush

paintability paintable paintathon paintathons paintball paintball gun paintballed paintballer paintballers paintballing

Literary usage of Paint 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)
"You can, of course, use paint the lily if you like, but we doubt that Shakespeare would insist on it. ..."

2. The Knickerbocker: Or, New-York Monthly Magazine by Charles Fenno Hoffman, Timothy Flint, Lewis Gaylord Clark, Kinahan Cornwallis, John Holmes Agnew (1847)
"We have no doubt the author would confidently quote a similar disregard of rule in the best poets: ' To gild refined gold, to paint the lily,' for example ..."

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