inlay

American  

[in-ley, in-ley, in-ley] / ˈɪnˌleɪ, ˌɪnˈleɪ, ˈɪnˌleɪ /

verb (used with object)

inlaid, inlaying

1. to decorate (an object) with layers of fine materials set in its surface.

   to inlay a chest with lighter wood.

2. to insert or apply (layers of fine materials) in the surface of an object.

   to inlay marble in a tabletop.

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

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noun

1. inlaid work.

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

3. a design or decoration made by inlaying.

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

5. Horticulture. inlay graft.

6. the act or process of inlaying.

inlay British  

verb

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

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noun

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

2. decoration made by inlaying

3. an inlaid article, surface, etc

Other Word Forms

• inlayer noun

Etymology

Origin of inlay

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

Example Sentences

The palazzo is filled with ornate wall coverings and moldings, rococo furniture and artworks, and marble floors with intricately detailed inlays.

From The Wall Street Journal

The balustrades are dark wood, and the twisted inlays remind me of crooked fingers, beckoning.

From Literature

The discoveries included a silver, gold and garnet bird's-head terminal with elephant ivory inlays, possibly from a drinking-horn, several gold rings, and other metal objects.

From BBC

It was a deep crimson with gold trim, and a swirly gold inlay framed the image.

From Literature

She’s offset the building’s cement with a childhood baby grand piano and her grandmother’s lacquer vanity with pearl inlay.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• decorate