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

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