CultureJuly 18, 2026
inlay
/ˈɪnleɪ/
Definition
An ornamental design or material set into the surface of an object so that it is flush with the surrounding material.
Etymology
Derived from the Middle English 'inleien,' which combined 'in' and 'lay.' It essentially describes the act of laying pieces into a surface to create a decorative pattern.
In the news
The article mentions mother-of-pearl inlay as a traditional Korean craft used by artists to decorate physical objects inspired by video game characters and items. This technique represents a bridge between high-tech gaming franchises and ancient artisanal heritage.
When heritage meets pop culture: K-gaming
Read the full article ↗The Korea Herald