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layers

 - 5 dictionary results

lay⋅er

[ley-er]
–noun
1. a thickness of some material laid on or spread over a surface: a layer of soot on the window sill; two layers of paint.
2. bed; stratum: alternating layers of basalt and sandstone.
3. a person or thing that lays: a carpet layer.
4. a hen kept for egg production.
5. one of several items of clothing worn one on top of the other.
6. Horticulture.
a. a shoot or twig that is induced to root while still attached to the living stock, as by bending and covering with soil.
b. a plant so propagated.
7. Ropemaking. a machine for laying rope or cable.
–verb (used with object)
8. to make a layer of.
9. to form or arrange in layers.
10. to arrange or wear (clothing) in layers: You can layer this vest over a blouse or sweater.
11. Horticulture. to propagate by layering.
–verb (used without object)
12. to separate into or form layers.
13. (of a garment) to permit of wearing in layers; be used in layering: Frilly blouses don't layer well.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME leyer, legger. See lay 1 , -er 1


lay⋅er⋅a⋅ble, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To layers
lay·er   (lā'ər)   
n.  
    1. One that lays: a tile layer.

    2. A hen kept for laying eggs.

    3. A single thickness of a material covering a surface or forming an overlying part or segment: a layer of dust on the windowsill; a cake with four layers.

    4. A usually horizontal deposit or expanse; a stratum: layers of sedimentary rock; a layer of warm air.

    5. A depth or level: a poem with several layers of meaning.

    1. A single thickness of a material covering a surface or forming an overlying part or segment: a layer of dust on the windowsill; a cake with four layers.

    2. A usually horizontal deposit or expanse; a stratum: layers of sedimentary rock; a layer of warm air.

    3. A depth or level: a poem with several layers of meaning.

  1. Botany A stem that is covered with soil for rooting while still part of the living plant.

  2. An item of clothing worn over or under another.

v.   lay·ered, lay·er·ing, lay·ers

v.   tr.
  1. To divide or form into layers: layered gravel and charcoal to make a filter.

  2. To cut (hair) into different, usually overlapping lengths.

  3. Botany To propagate (a plant) by means of a layer.

  4. To wear (clothing) in layers.

v.   intr.
  1. To form or come apart as layers.

  2. Botany To take root as a result of layering.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

layer 
1382, "one who or that lays" (especially stones, "a mason"), from lay (v.). Passive sense of "that which is laid" first recorded 1615, but since earliest Eng. use was in cookery, this is perhaps from Fr. liue "binding," used of a thickened sauce.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: lay·er
Pronunciation: 'lA-&r, 'le(-&)r
Function: noun
1 : one thickness, course, or fold laid or lying over or underanother
2 : STRATUM 1 layers of the skin> —layer verb
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

layer lay·er (lā'ər)
n.
A single thickness of a material covering a surface or forming an overlying part or segment. v. lay·ered, lay·er·ing, lay·ers
To divide or form into layers.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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