1. The
art or practice of overlaying or
covering with
gold leaf; also, a
thin coating or
wash of gold, or of that which resembles gold.
2. Gold in leaf, powder, or liquid, for
application to any surface.
3. Any superficial
coating or appearance, as opposed to what is
solid and genuine. Gilding metal, a tough
kind of
sheet brass from which cartridge shells are made.
Source: Websters Vocabulary