I. (ˈ)in|lā, ənˈlā transitive verb
( inlaid ; inlaid ; inlaying ; inlays )
Etymology: in (II) + lay
1.
a.
(1) : to set into the body of a surface or ground material
inlay arabesques
(2) : to pattern or adorn (a surface or ground) by the insertion of other material
inlay a panel with contrasting wood
: adorn by inlaying
inlay wood with mother-of-pearl
(3) : to ornament (a leather book cover) by fitting leather or other material into cut-in areas
(4) : to ornament (a book cover) by affixing printed paper or other decorative material into depressed areas
b.
(1) : to insert (as a color plate) into a heavier or stouter sheet serving as a mat, frame, or support
(2) : to provide (a book) with inlaid illustrations
c. : to reinforce (silver-plated ware) at points of wear with an additional coating of silver or piece of silver embedded before electroplating
2. : to burnish, beat, or fuse (as wire) into an incised cavity in metal, wood, stone, or other material
II. ˈinˌlā noun
( -s )
1. : the process or art of inlaying
2.
a. : material inlaid or prepared for inlaying ; also : the ornament or pattern formed by inlaying
b.
(1) : a tooth filling of metal or porcelain shaped to fit a cavity and then cemented into place
(2) : a piece of tissue (as bone) laid into the site of missing tissue to bridge a defect
3.
a. : an allowance (as an extra-wide seam) for clothing alteration
b. : a set-in section on a garment usually decorative or contrasting