Emily Dickinson Lexicon

GOLD, n. [Sax. gold; G. gold; D. goud, a contracted word; Sw. and Dan. guld, from gul, guul, yellow. Hence the original pronunciation goold, still retained by some people. The Dan. guul is in Sax. gealew, whence our yellow, that is, primarily, bright, from the Celtic, W. gawl, galau, gole, light, splendor; Gaelic, geal, bright; Ar. جَلاَ chala to be clear or bright. Class Gl, No. 7.]

1. A precious metal of a bright yellow color, and the most ductile and malleable of all the metals. It is the heaviest metal except platinum and being a very dense, fixed substance, and not liable to be injured by air, it is well fitted to be used as coin, or a representative of commodities in commerce. Its ductility and malleability render it the most suitable metal for gilding. It is often found native in solid masses, as in Hungary and Peru; though generally in combination with silver, copper or iron. Encyc.
2. Money. For me, the gold of France did not seduce. Shak.
3. Something pleasing or valuable; as, a heart of gold. Shak.
4. A bright yellow color; as, a flower edged with gold.
5. Riches; wealth. Gold of pleasure, a plant of the genus Myagrum.