The spelling of the word "hilyard" is often confusing due to its irregular pronunciation. The word is pronounced /ˈhaɪljəd/ according to the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The "h" is silent and the "y" is pronounced like the "i" in "hit." The "li" sounds like the "lie" in "lie down." The "yard" is pronounced as it typically is, like the measurement of length. Despite its tricky pronunciation, "hilyard" is a legitimate word that means "a large amount of silk or woolen cloth."
The word "hilyard" does not have a widely-known or established etymology. It appears to be a regional or dialectal word with limited usage and recognition. Consequently, tracing its origins or identifying its specific etymology is challenging. It is possible that "hilyard" may have derived from a combination of other words or undergone dialectal changes over time. Unfortunately, due to the lack of available information and reference sources, a definitive etymology for "hilyard" cannot be provided.