inlay

Universal Words verb, noun verb into A( to decorate the surface of sth by putting pieces of wood or metal into it in such a way that the surface remains smooth: The lid of the box had been inlaid with silver. * Gold and silver had been inlaid into the lid of the box. noun [C,U] a design or pattern on a surface made by setting wood or metal into it; the material that this design is made of: The table was decorated with gold inlay.