INLAY
What does "INLAY" mean?
A decorative material set into the surface of another so the two are flush.
Meanings
- Pieces of contrasting material set into a surface to form a pattern or design. The guitar's neck glowed with pearl inlay along the fretboard.
- A solid filling cemented into a prepared cavity in a tooth. The dentist fitted a gold inlay instead of a standard filling. technical
- To set material into a surface so it lies flush, for decoration. Craftsmen inlay the box lids with mother-of-pearl.
Word origin
A compound of 'in' plus 'lay' (to place); the material is literally 'laid in' to the surface of the host object.
Remember it
INLAY = you LAY the piece IN, flush with the surface - opposite of an overlay that sits on top.
A little poem
The plain wood opens a slot, the pearl slides home -
two strangers made flush become one bloom.
couplet
What it teaches
The finest joinery hides the seam; true inlay makes the addition look like it was always there.
Quick facts
What does INLAY mean?
A decorative material set into the surface of another so the two are flush.
Is INLAY a valid word?
Yes — INLAY is one of the answer words in Wordul, the daily word game.
How many letters is INLAY?
INLAY has 5 letters and 2 syllables.
Where does INLAY come from?
A compound of 'in' plus 'lay' (to place); the material is literally 'laid in' to the surface of the host object.
What can INLAY teach us?
The finest joinery hides the seam; true inlay makes the addition look like it was always there.
How players do
Be the first to solve it.