0 a small piece of paper or cloth with a pattern of little holes in it, used as a decoration on a plate or under a cake --
The doily-like mats are not ordinarily used.
The linen doily (never paper) separates the dessert plate from the finger bowl.
At the time, it was used as an adjective, as in doily stuffs or doily suit.
It is typically served before the dessert course, arriving with the dessert plate and with a linen doily between plate and bowl.
When youngsters complete an activity successfully, they will receive a doily.
The pretty present-day fashion of using individual plate doilies on a polished table at breakfast and luncheon is also labor-saving.
