inlay Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (dentistry) a filling consisting of a solid substance (as gold or porcelain) fitted to a cavity in a tooth and cemented into place
  2. noun a decoration made by fitting pieces of wood into prepared slots in a surface
  3. verb decorate the surface of by inserting wood, stone, and metal

WordNet

In*lay" transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Inlaied ; present participle & verbal noun Inlaying
Definitions
  1. To lay within; hence, to insert, as pieces of pearl, iviry, choice woods, or the like, in a groundwork of some other material; to form an ornamental surface; to diversify or adorn with insertions.
    Look,how the floor of heaven Is thick inlaid with patines of bright gold. Shak.
    But these things are . . . borrowed by the monks to inlay their story. Milton.
In"lay` noun
Definitions
  1. Matter or pieces of wood, ivory, etc., inlaid, or prepared for inlaying; that which is inserted or inlaid for ornament or variety.
    Crocus and hyacinth with rich inlay Broidered the ground. Milton.
    The sloping of the moonlit sward Was damask work, and deep inlay Of braided blooms. Tennyson.

Webster 1913