| Definitions | gild the lily
verb (inf=to gild the lily, gilds the lily, gilding the lily, gilded the lily)
- (intransitive) To embellish something that does not need it.
- (intransitive) To add unnecessary bells and whistles.
Etymology: A common misquotation of a line from w:William Shakespeare, William Shakespeare's 1595 play s:The Life and Death of King John, King John, iv 2::"To gild refined gold, to paint the lily, to throw a perfume on the violet, to smooth the ice, or add another hue unto the rainbow, or with taper-light to seek the beauteous eye of heaven to garnish, is wasteful and ridiculous excess."
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