What does gilded mean?

"Gilded" means covered with a thin layer of gold. It's a verb, and it can also be used as an adjective to describe something that is superficially attractive but actually of little value.

Here are some examples:

* Verb: "The artist gilded the frame of the painting."

* Adjective: "The politician's promises were gilded, hiding his true intentions."

The term "gilded" often evokes the image of something that appears valuable and impressive on the surface, but is actually fragile and lacking in substance. It's a metaphor that's been used for centuries to describe things that are showy but ultimately empty.