Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Inlay

Inlay , transitive verb

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.
Look, how the floor of heaven Is thick inlaid with patines of bright gold. — Shakespeare
But these things are... borrowed by the monks to inlay their story. — Milton

Inlay , noun

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.
Crocus and hyacinth with rich inlay Broidered the ground. — Milton
The sloping of the moonlit sward Was damask work, and deep inlay Of braided blooms. — Tennyson