Inlay /(?)/

imp. & p. p. Inlaied; p. pr. & vb. n. Inlaying

1. To lay within; hence, to insert, as pieces of pearl, ivory, mother-of-pearl, 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.

   But these things are . . . borrowed by the monks to inlay their story.

1. Matter or pieces of wood, ivory, etc., inlaid, or prepared for inlaying; that which is inserted or inlaid for ornament or variety; as, ornamented with ivory inlay.

   Crocus and hyacinth with rich inlay Broidered the ground.

   The sloping of the moonlit sward Was damask work, and deep inlay Of braided blooms.