A small ornamental piece of lace or linen or paper used to protect a surface from scratches by hard objects such as vases or bowls; or to decorate a plate of food
A doily is a small, round piece of paper or cloth that has a pattern of tiny holes in it. Doilies are put on plates under cakes and sandwiches. doilies a circle of paper or cloth with a pattern of holes in it that you put under things to protect the surface below, or for decoration