Aurifying

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. The act of transforming an item or idea into something resembling gold encompasses imbuing it with greater value or significance alongside a literal or metaphorical enhancement of its worth
2. This transformation involves both the alteration of appearance to that of gold and the elevation of intrinsic value, often signifying a divine or important quality
3. The process of enhancing the qualities or appearance of something to evoke a golden look or value entails both literal and metaphorical changes that signify worth

Etymology: Aurifying is simply the present participle and gerund of "aurify," so the story belongs to that verb. "Aur-" is a combining form drawn from Latin "aurum," meaning gold, and "-ify" is the English suffix that turns a noun or adjective into a verb meaning "to make into" or "to cause to become." Put together, "aurify" means to turn something into gold or to make it golden. The verb is a straightforward built-up formation rather than a word with a dramatic backstory. Its meaning covers both the literal sense of making something look like gold and the more figurative sense of raising something's value, which is why the definition you were given stresses both appearance and worth. The "-ing" ending then turns the verb into a participle or gerund, so the same form can describe an ongoing act of gilding or be used as a noun for the process itself.