marquetry

• marqueterie
• marquetery

From Middle French marqueterie.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈmɑːkɪtɹi/

marquetry (countable and uncountable, plural marquetries)

1. (uncountable, woodworking) A decorative technique in which veneers of wood, ivory, metal etc. are inlaid into a wood surface to form intricate designs.
2. (countable) An example of this work
   • 1944, W. Somerset Maugham, The Razor's Edge, Doubleday Doran, :

     Unkind people asserted that everything in his apartment was for sale and that after he had invited wealthy Americans for an excellent lunch, with vintage wines, one or two of his valuable drawings would disappear, or a marquetry commode would be replaced by one in lacquer.