gilding
/ˈɡɪldɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · [ɡˈɪldɪŋ] /ˈɡɪldɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /ɡɪld/ (bre, ipa) · [ɡˈɪldɪŋ] /ɡɪld/ (ame, ipa)
gilding — noun
1. a thin layer of real gold or gold-coloured paint added to a surface for decorati
a thin layer of real gold or gold-coloured paint added to a surface for decoration, often seen on picture frames, mirrors, and old furniture.
Hari noticed that the gilding on the antique mirror had begun to flake off.
gilding on [surface] for describing decorative gold layer
The old church ceiling was covered in delicate gilding that glowed in the morning sun.
uncountable: 'delicate gilding' with no article
Gabriela carefully restored the gilding on the picture frame using thin sheets of gold.
Most of the gilding on the palace doors had worn away after two hundred years.
A small workshop in Florence still produces traditional gilding for museum pieces.
文法句型
gilding on [surface]
the gilding of [object]
用法筆記
Almost always uncountable. Often appears with prepositions 'on' (location) or 'of' (object being gilded). Subject of restoration and antique-furniture contexts.
常見錯誤
gilding — verb
1. in the process of decorating something by applying real gold, gold leaf, or gold
in the process of decorating something by applying real gold, gold leaf, or gold-coloured paint to its outer surface.
Salma spent the afternoon gilding the edges of a wooden picture frame in her studio.
gilding + direct object [surface]
The craftsmen were gilding the dome of the temple when the rain started.
passive-like progressive: were gilding + [object]
Wren learned the slow craft of gilding old book covers from her grandmother.
By gilding the small statue, Yael hoped to make it look more valuable to collectors.
- stripping
Removing the gold layer rather than adding it.
文法句型
gilding + [object]
be + gilding + [object]
用法筆記
Distinguished from sense 2 (light-related) by physical contact with a metal or paint coating. The object is almost always a man-made surface (frame, dome, statue, furniture).
常見錯誤
2. of light, especially low sunlight: spreading across a surface and giving it a wa
of light, especially low sunlight: spreading across a surface and giving it a warm, golden colour for a short time.
Late afternoon light was gilding the rooftops of the small fishing village.
[light source] gilding + [surface]
The setting sun was gilding the snow as Quan reached the mountain summit.
collocation: sun gilding [surface]
Soft morning light was gilding the wheat fields outside Adaeze's window.
When Haruto opened the curtains, the sunrise was gilding every leaf outside.
文法句型
[light source] gilding + [surface]
the sun gilding the [object]
用法筆記
Subject is usually a light source (sun, sunlight, sunset, lamplight). Distinguish from sense 1: here no physical coating is applied — the surface only looks gold because of the light.