a horizontal layer or series of layers of any homogeneous material, e.g. a sheetlike mass of rock or earth deposited between beds of other rock
a horizontal layer or series of layers of any homogeneous material, e.g.:
a sheetlike mass of rock or earth deposited between beds of other rock
a layer of the sea or atmosphere
a layer of tissue
a layer in which archaeological remains are found on excavation
a socioeconomic level of society
the higher social strata
stratal adj
[scientific Latin stratum layer, from Latin stratum bed, coverlet, literally ‘something laid down’, neuter past part. of sternere to strew, spread out]