inlay

/ˈɪnleɪ/

/ˈɪnleɪ/

Other forms: inlaying; inlays; inlayed

Definitions of inlay

1. verb

   decorate the surface of by inserting wood, stone, and metal
   types:

   hatch

   inlay with narrow strips or lines of a different substance such as gold or silver, for the purpose of decorating

   damascene

   inlay metal with gold and silver

   type of:

   adorn, beautify, decorate, embellish, grace, ornament

   make more attractive by adding ornament, color, etc.
2. noun

   a decoration made by fitting pieces of wood into prepared slots in a surface
   types:

   marqueterie, marquetry

   inlaid veneers are fitted together to form a design or picture that is then used to ornament furniture

   parqueterie, parquetry

   a patterned wood inlay used to cover a floor

   type of:

   decoration, ornament, ornamentation

   something used to beautify
3. noun

   (dentistry) a filling consisting of a solid substance (as gold or porcelain) fitted to a cavity in a tooth and cemented into place
   type of:

   filling

   (dentistry) a dental appliance consisting of any of various substances (as metal or plastic) inserted into a prepared cavity in a tooth