(figuratively) A place (or, by extension, situation) which is superficially attractive but nevertheless constraining; a comfortable but confined situation.

The House of Lords.

The period of United States history from the end of the Civil War to the end of the 19th century, a time marked by rapid economic expansion, a lack of government regulation, and rampant corruption.

present participle of gild the lily

Third-person singular simple present indicative form of gild the lily

(idiomatic) To embellish or improve something unnecessarily. / To add superfluous attributes to something.

A tough kind of sheet brass from which cartridge shells are made.

A process by which an amalgam of gold is applied to metallic surfaces, the mercury being subsequently volatilized, leaving a film of gold or an amalgam containing from 13 to 16% of mercury.

plural of gilding metal

Alternative form of wergeld