inlay

[ verb in-ley, in-ley; noun in-ley ]

/ verb ˈɪnˌleɪ, ˌɪnˈleɪ; noun ˈɪnˌleɪ /

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See synonyms for: inlay / inlaid on Thesaurus.com

Definition of inlay

verb (used with object), in·laid, in·lay·ing.

to decorate (an object) with layers of fine materials set in its surface: to inlay a chest with lighter wood.

to insert or apply (layers of fine materials) in the surface of an object: to inlay marble in a tabletop.

Horticulture. to place (a fitted scion) into a prepared stock, as in a method of grafting.

noun

inlaid work.

a layer of fine material inserted in something else, especially for ornament.

a design or decoration made by inlaying.

Dentistry. a filling of metal, porcelain, or the like, that is first shaped to fit a cavity and then cemented into it.

Horticulture. inlay graft.

the act or process of inlaying.

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Origin of inlay

First recorded in 1590–1600; in-¹ + lay¹

OTHER WORDS FROM inlay

inlayer, noun

Words nearby inlay

Inland Revenue, Inland Sea, in large measure, inlaut, inlaw, inlay, inlay graft, in-lb, in league with, in left field, inlet

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use inlay in a sentence

Burrs, overhangs, and cracks will make it hard to fit into your inlay hole later.
2 ways to rescue cracked wooden furniture|Jean Levasseur|February 20, 2022|Popular-Science
Not only were the Britons expert in ordinary metal-work but they are believed to have invented the art of enamelled-inlay.
Archaic England|Harold Bayley
With illustrations and inlay cover picture by Harrison Fisher.
The Rose of Old St. Louis|Mary Dillon
This is actually done with the working drawing by the inlay cutter.
Line and Form (1900)|Walter Crane

Wheel-lock of blued steel, with gold and silver inlay, and wheel-guard of tracery in thin gold.
Armour in England|J. Starkie Gardner
The whole of the front lacks repose, a condition which is intensified by the black and white inlay of the flat surfaces.
Cathedral Cities of Italy|William Wiehe Collins

British Dictionary definitions for inlay

inlay

verb (ɪnˈleɪ) -lays, -laying or -laid (tr)

to decorate (an article, esp of furniture, or a surface) by inserting pieces of wood, ivory, etc, into prepared slots in the surface

noun (ˈɪnˌleɪ)

dentistry a filling, made of gold, porcelain, etc, inserted into a cavity and held in position by cement

decoration made by inlaying

an inlaid article, surface, etc

Derived forms of inlay

inlayer, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for inlay

inlay

[ ĭn′lā′, ĭn-lā′ ]

A solid filling, as of gold or porcelain, fitted to a cavity in a tooth and cemented into place.

A graft of bone, skin, or other tissue.

An orthomechanical device inserted into a shoe.

inlay

Definition of inlay

Origin of inlay

OTHER WORDS FROM inlay

Words nearby inlay

Words related to inlay

How to use inlay in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for inlay

Derived forms of inlay

Medical definitions for inlay