v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Inlaied p. pr. & vb. n. Inlaying. ] 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. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

But these things are . . . borrowed by the monks to inlay their story. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 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. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

The sloping of the moonlit sward
Was damask work, and deep inlay
Of braided blooms. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who inlays, or whose occupation it is to inlay. [ 1913 Webster ]