Inlay

v. insert decorative materials into a surface; ornament by inserting layers of decorative materials into a surface

n. material inserted into a surface to form decorative designs; decorative design created by the insertion of different materials into a surface; type of filling for a tooth (Dentistry)

Inlay is a decorative technique of inserting pieces of coloured materials into depressions in a base object to form patterns or pictures. Inlays commonly use wood veneer, but other materials like shells and niello may also be used. Inlay differs from marquetry, a similar technique, in that marquetry is applied over an entire surface of an object, whereas inlay consists of small pieces inserted into cut spaces in the base material.Inlay is commonly used in production of decorative furniture, where pieces of coloured wood or metal are inserted into the veneer. Lutherie inlays are frequently used as decoration and marking on musical instruments, particularly the smaller strings.
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Inlay /in·lay/ material laid into a defect in tissue; in dentistry, a filling made outside the tooth to correspond with the cavity form and then [more]Inlay - Community and Resources

Noun
1. (dentistry) a filling consisting of a solid substance (as gold or porcelain) fitted to a cavity in a tooth and cemented into place
(hypernym) filling
(classification) dentistry, dental medicine, odontology
2. a decoration made by fitting pieces of wood into prepared slots in a surface
(hypernym) decoration, ornament, ornamentation
(hyponym) marquetry, marqueterie
Verb
1. decorate the surface of by inserting wood, stone, and metal
(hypernym) decorate, adorn, grace, ornament, embellish, beautify
(hyponym) hatch
(classification) handicraft

n. inlay, material inserted into a surface to form decorative designs, decorative design created by the insertion of different materials into a surface; type of filling for a tooth (Dentistry)