n. The art of decorating articles, as arms, furniture, objects of art, etc., with pieces of wood, metal, marble, ivory, tortoise-shell, etc., disposed in patterns and let into the surface. See buhl, damascene work (under damascene), and marquetry.n. In bookbinding, the neat insertion (with proper cutting, shaving, and pasting) of a leaf or print in a larger leaf, with intent to give the inlaid matter greater security and a wider margin.n. In printing, the insertion of the overlay made for an illustration between the sheets of the printing surface or between the plate and its support.