A body of water let into a coast, such as a bay, cove, fjord or estuary.
A passage that leads into a cavity.
1748. David Hume, An enquiry concerning human understanding. In: L. A. SELBY-BIGGE, M. A. Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral. 2. ed. London: Oxford University Press, 1973. § 15.
by opening this new inlet for sensations, you also open an inlet for the ideas;
verb
(transitive) To let in; admit.
(transitive) To insert; inlay.
(firearms) To carve the wooden stock of a firearm so as to position the metal components in it.