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

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

Korla theater had come into style in the nearby capital of Turfan, and the resulting income had brought other arts—Sogdian inlay, Chinese zither players, Kuchean dancers.

From Literature

Hardiman writes that Joyce was a “tractable and ingenious” craftsman who quickly became adept in soldering, casting, inlaying and many other skills required of a medieval jeweler.

From National Geographic

Mostly, the team found pieces of broken pottery, but the excitement at camp was palpable when they unearthed a human skull with jade inlay in the teeth, she recalled.

From Seattle Times

The chrysanthemum leaves, the chartreuse of the teapot inlay and the antique bronze are different shades of green — but all come from malachite.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• decorate