regild

The artisan carefully regilds the antique picture frame.

Definition

1. Verb:
   • To cover with gold again: "regild" means to apply a new layer of gold or gold-like substance to an object that was previously gilded, often to restore its appearance.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • The antique frame was tarnished, so the craftsman had to regild it. (Apply a new gold coating to the old frame.)
  • They decided to regild the statue's crown to make it shine once more. (Restore the gold covering on the crown.)

Advanced Usage

• "to regild a reputation": a figurative use meaning to restore or improve someone’s image or status, as if applying a new golden layer.
  • The scandal damaged his career, but he tried to regild his reputation through charity work. (Attempt to restore his good name.)

Variants and Related Words

• Gild (verb): to cover with a thin layer of gold.

  • They gilded the picture frame with real gold leaf. (Applied gold to the frame.)

• Gilded (adjective): covered with gold; also figuratively, wealthy or privileged.

  • The gilded palace sparkled in the sunlight. (The palace was covered with gold.)

• Gilding (noun): the process or result of applying gold.

  • The gilding on the mirror had begun to peel. (The gold layer was deteriorating.)

Synonyms

• Re-gold-plate: to apply a new layer of gold plating.
• Re-garnish: to decorate again with gold (less common).

Related Idioms

• Gild the lily: to add unnecessary decoration to something already beautiful (not directly related to "regild," but shares the "gild" root).
  • Adding more flowers to the already perfect arrangement would be gilding the lily. (Unnecessary embellishment.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Regild over: to apply a new gold layer on top of an existing one.
  • The restorer had to regild over the worn areas of the chandelier. (Apply new gold over the old, damaged layer.)