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in·lay

(ĭnlā′, ĭn-lā)

tr.v. in·laid (-lād′), in·lay·ing, in·lays

a. To set (pieces of wood or ivory, for example) into a surface, usually at the same level, to form a design.

b. To decorate by setting in such designs.

2. To insert (a photograph, for example) within a mat in a book.

a. Contrasting material set into a surface in pieces to form a design.

b. A design, pattern, or decoration made by inlaying.

2. Dentistry A solid filling, as of gold or porcelain, fitted to a cavity in a tooth and cemented into place.

in·layer n.

(click for a larger image)

inlay

detail of colored and

semiprecious stones inlaid

in white marble at the

Taj Mahal mausoleum

Agra, India

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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