Gilding Metal
Definition: "Gilding metal" is a noun that refers to a type of brass that has a high amount of copper in it. It is often used to make items that are going to be covered with a layer of gold (a process called gilding).
Usage Instructions
When to use: You can use "gilding metal" when talking about materials used in crafts, art, or manufacturing, especially when referring to the process of decorating objects with gold.
Context: This term is typically used in discussions about metalworking, art, or design.
Example Sentence
Advanced Usage
In more advanced discussions, "gilding metal" might be mentioned in contexts such as:
Word Variants
Gild (verb): To cover something with a thin layer of gold.
Gilded (adjective): Something that is covered with gold or has a wealthy appearance.
Gilding (noun): The process of applying gold leaf or gold paint to a surface.
Different Meanings
While "gilding metal" specifically refers to a type of brass, the root word "gild" can mean to cover something with a golden finish or to make something appear more attractive than it is.
Synonyms
Brass (in general, though not all brass is gilding metal)
Gold-plated metal (when referring to items that have a gold finish)
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs
"All that glitters is not gold": This idiom suggests that not everything that looks valuable or attractive is actually so. It connects to the idea of gilding in that something may appear to be gold (or valuable) but may not be.
"To gild the lily": This means to add unnecessary embellishments to something that is already beautiful or perfect, similar to gilding something that does not need extra decoration.
Summary
"Gilding metal" is a specific type of brass rich in copper, commonly used for items that will be gilded.