1.  inlay(n = noun.artifact) - (dentistry) a filling consisting of a solid substance (as gold or porcelain) fitted to a cavity in a tooth and cemented into place;
is a kind of filling

2.  inlay(n = noun.artifact) - a decoration made by fitting pieces of wood into prepared slots in a surface;
is a kind of decoration, ornament, ornamentation
has particulars: marqueterie, marquetry, parqueterie, parquetry
Derived form verb inlay₁

   inlay(v = verb.creation) - decorate the surface of by inserting wood, stone, and metal;
is one way to adorn, beautify, decorate, embellish, grace, ornament
Derived form noun inlay₂
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s something

   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. [1913 Webster]
"Look, how the floor of heaven
Is thick inlaid with patines of bright gold." [1913 Webster]
"But these things are . . . borrowed by the monks to inlay their story." [1913 Webster]

   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. [1913 Webster]
"Crocus and hyacinth with rich inlay
Broidered the ground." [1913 Webster]
"The sloping of the moonlit sward
Was damask work, and deep inlay
Of braided blooms." [1913 Webster]

inlay, v. & n.
--v.tr. (past and past part. inlaid)
1 a (usu. foll. by in) embed (a thing in another) so that the surfaces are even. b (usu. foll. by with) ornament (a thing with inlaid work).
2 (as inlaid adj.) (of a piece of furniture etc.) ornamented by inlaying.
3 insert (a page, an illustration, etc.) in a space cut in a larger thicker page.
--n.
1 inlaid work.
2 material inlaid.
3 a filling shaped to fit a tooth-cavity.

Derivative:
inlayer n.

Etymology:
IN-(2) + LAY(1)

VB  be variegated, variegate, stripe, streak, checker, chequer, bespeckle, speckle, besprinkle, sprinkle, stipple, maculate, dot, bespot, tattoo, inlay, damascene, embroider, braid, quilt.