verb. (old).—To make drunk; to flush with drink.
1609. SHAKESPEARE, Tempest, v. 1. This grand liquor that hath GILDED them.
1620. FLETCHER, The Chances, iv., 3. Duke. Is she not drunk too? Whore. A little GILDED o’er, Sir.
TO GILD THE PILL, phr. (colloquial).—To say, or do, unpleasant things as gently as may be; to impose upon; to BAMBOOZLE (q.v.).
