Definition of "gelt" in English

noun

1. (rare) A lunatic.

noun

1. (obsolete) Gilding; gilt.

verb

1. simple past and past participle of geld

noun

1. A gelding.

noun

1. (originally UK, especially thieves' cant and Polari, later Judaism and general slang) Money.

   • It amounts to not above 12000 Fr. Rhenish, yearly, in bare gelt.
   • I saw him at the house of my parents; I in my earliest youth, he approaching to fourscore. He was on his way to collect the Dominie's gelt; for the Dutch always took care the stipend to the minister should be competent, that so he never might be straitened 'to desire a gift.'
   • Have bought some farm land in Rio Grande Valley which should bring in a sizeable bundle of gelts come cotton picking time.

2. Tribute; tax.

3. (Judaism) Money, especially that given as a gift on Hanukkah or used in games of dreidel.

4. (Judaism) Chocolate candy in the shape of coins, usually wrapped in metallic foil, usually eaten on Hanukkah and often used for games of dreidel.