'ungilded' originates from the Old English prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' and the verb 'gild,' which comes from the Old English 'gyldan,' meaning 'to cover with a thin layer of gold.'

'gyldan' transformed into the Middle English word 'gilden,' and eventually became the modern English word 'gild.' The prefix 'un-' was added to form 'ungilded.'

Initially, 'gild' meant 'to cover with gold,' and 'ungilded' has consistently meant 'not covered with gold.'