|
|
Definition of Gild the lily
1. Verb. Adorn unnecessarily (something that is already beautiful).
Generic synonyms: Adorn, Beautify, Decorate, Embellish, Grace, Ornament
2. Verb. Make unnecessary additions to what is already complete.
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
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). ..."
Other Resources:
