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stratify

 - 2 dictionary results

strat⋅i⋅fy

  [strat-uh-fahy] verb, -fied, -fy⋅ing.
Use stratify in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to form or place in strata or layers.
2. to preserve or germinate (seeds) by placing them between layers of earth.
3. Sociology. to arrange in a hierarchical order, esp. according to graded status levels.
–verb (used without object)
4. to form strata.
5. Geology. to lie in beds or layers.
6. Sociology. to develop hierarchically, esp. as graded status levels.
Origin:
1655–65; modeled on NL strātificāre, equiv. to strāti- strati- + -ficāre -fy
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To stratify
strat·i·fy   (strāt'ə-fī')   
v.   strat·i·fied, strat·i·fy·ing, strat·i·fies

v.   tr.

  1. To form, arrange, or deposit in layers.

  2. To preserve (seeds) by placing them between layers of moist sand or similar material.

    1. To arrange or separate into castes, classes, or social levels.

    2. To separate into a sequence of graded status levels.

v.   intr.

  1. To become layered; form strata.

  2. To develop different levels of caste, class, privilege, or status.

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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