layer

[ ley-er ]

/ ˈleɪ ər /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR layer ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a thickness of some material laid on or spread over a surface: a layer of soot on the window sill; two layers of paint.

bed; stratum: alternating layers of basalt and sandstone.

a person or thing that lays: a carpet layer.

a hen kept for egg production.

one of several items of clothing worn one on top of the other.

Horticulture.

a shoot or twig that is induced to root while still attached to the living stock, as by bending and covering with soil.
a plant so propagated.

Ropemaking. a machine for laying rope or cable.

verb (used with object)

to make a layer of.

to form or arrange in layers.

to arrange or wear (clothing) in layers: You can layer this vest over a blouse or sweater.

Horticulture. to propagate by layering.

verb (used without object)

to separate into or form layers.

(of a garment) to permit of wearing in layers; be used in layering: Frilly blouses don't layer well.

Origin of layer

First recorded in 1350–1400, layer is from the Middle English word leyer, legger. See lay¹, -er¹

OTHER WORDS FROM layer

lay·er·a·ble, adjective in·ter·lay·er, noun in·ter·lay·er, verb (used with object) non·lay·ered, adjective

Words nearby layer

layaway, layaway plan, layback, laydeez, laydown, layer, layer board, layer cake, layer of rods and cones, layering, layette

Definition for layer (2 of 2)

lay ³

[ ley ]

/ leɪ /

adjective

belonging to, pertaining to, or performed by the people or laity, as distinguished from the clergy: a lay sermon.

not belonging to, connected with, or proceeding from a profession, especially the law or medicine.

Origin of lay

1300–50; Middle English < Middle French lai < Medieval Latin lāicus laic

Example sentences from the Web for layer

Just who is crazy enough to go swimming when the pond across the street has a layer of ice across the top?

Diving Into 2015 With Polar Bear Plunge Extremists |James Joiner |January 1, 2015 |DAILY BEAST
On the floor, the bricks are inscribed with “Merci” and “Thanks” and covered in a layer of coins.

The Sacrificial Limbs of New Orleans |Nina Strochlic |March 12, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
True Detective creator Nic Pizzolatto also wants to layer his show with meaning—or meanings.

‘True Detective’s’ Godless Universe: Is the HBO Show Anti-Christian? |Andrew Romano |March 6, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The last of the rounds to strike Murphy went through a layer of the Kevlar on his vest and went into his skull and brain.

15 Rounds and Still Talking: Lt. Brian Murphy’s Story of the Oak Creek Massacre |Simran Jeet Singh |August 5, 2013 |DAILY BEAST

First, you need warm, humid air beneath a layer of cool, dry air.

Can You Blame Moore on Global Warming? |Josh Dzieza |May 21, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
In a casserole place a layer of sliced raw potatoes and over it sprinkle of flour.

Stevenson Memorial Cook Book |Various
The thickest layer of ozokerite found is about eighteen inches, and this layer or pocket was a great curiosity.

Scientific American Supplement, No. 401, September 8, 1883 |Various
The cells of its own generation that were crowded in the other direction made part of an annual layer of bark.

Trees Worth Knowing |Julia Ellen Rogers
This layer in the cork oak is thick enough to be of commercial importance.

A Civic Biology |George William Hunter
The layer of fibres diminishes in thickness towards the tail, and finally ceases to be visible.

The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume III (of 4) |Francis Maitland Balfour

British Dictionary definitions for layer (1 of 5)

layer

/ (ˈleɪə) /

noun

a thickness of some homogeneous substance, such as a stratum or a coating on a surface

one of four or more levels of vegetation defined in ecological studies: the ground or moss layer, the field or herb layer, the shrub layer, and one or more tree layers

a laying hen

horticulture

a shoot or branch rooted during layering
a plant produced as a result of layering

verb

to form or make a layer of (something)

to take root or cause to take root by layering

Word Origin for layer

C14 leyer, legger, from lay 1 + -er 1

British Dictionary definitions for layer (2 of 5)

lay ¹

/ (leɪ) /

verb lays, laying or laid (leɪd) (mainly tr)

to put in a low or horizontal position; cause to lie to lay a cover on a bed

to place, put, or be in a particular state or position he laid his finger on his lips

(intr) not standard to be in a horizontal position; lie he often lays in bed all the morning

(sometimes foll by down) to establish as a basis to lay a foundation for discussion

to place or dispose in the proper position to lay a carpet

to arrange (a table) for eating a meal

to prepare (a fire) for lighting by arranging fuel in the grate

(also intr) (of birds, esp the domestic hen) to produce (eggs)

to present or put forward he laid his case before the magistrate

to impute or attribute all the blame was laid on him

to arrange, devise, or prepare to lay a trap

to place, set, or locate the scene is laid in London

to apply on or as if on a surface to lay a coat of paint

to impose as a penalty or burden to lay a fine

to make (a bet) with (someone) I lay you five to one on Prince

to cause to settle to lay the dust

to allay; suppress to lay a rumour

to bring down forcefully to lay a whip on someone's back

slang to have sexual intercourse with

slang to bet on (a horse) to lose a race

to press down or make smooth to lay the nap of cloth

to cut (small trunks or branches of shrubs or trees) halfway through and bend them diagonally to form a hedge to lay a hedge

to arrange and twist together (strands) in order to form (a rope, cable, etc)

military to apply settings of elevation and training to (a weapon) prior to firing

(foll by on) hunting to put (hounds or other dogs) onto a scent

another word for inlay

(intr; often foll by to or out) dialect, or informal to plan, scheme, or devise

(intr) nautical to move or go, esp into a specified position or direction to lay close to the wind

lay aboard nautical (formerly) to move alongside a warship to board it

lay a course

nautical to sail on a planned course without tacking
to plan an action

lay bare to reveal or explain he laid bare his plans

lay hands on See hands (def. 12)

lay hold of to seize or grasp

lay oneself open to make oneself vulnerable (to criticism, attack, etc) by making such a statement he laid himself open to accusations of favouritism

lay open to reveal or disclose

lay siege to to besiege (a city, etc)

noun

the manner or position in which something lies or is placed

taboo, slang

an act of sexual intercourse
a sexual partner

a portion of the catch or the profits from a whaling or fishing expedition

the amount or direction of hoist in the strands of a rope

See also layabout, lay aside, lay away, lay-by, lay down, lay in, lay into, lay off, lay on, lay out, lay over, lay to, lay up

Word Origin for lay

Old English lecgan; related to Gothic lagjan, Old Norse leggja

usage for lay

In careful English, the verb lay is used with an object and lie without one: the soldier laid down his arms; the Queen laid a wreath; the book was lying on the table; he was lying on the floor. In informal English, lay is frequently used for lie: the book was laying on the table. All careful writers and speakers observe the distinction even in informal contexts

British Dictionary definitions for layer (3 of 5)

lay ²

/ (leɪ) /

adjective

of, involving, or belonging to people who are not clergy

nonprofessional or nonspecialist; amateur

Word Origin for lay

C14: from Old French lai, from Late Latin lāicus, ultimately from Greek laos people

British Dictionary definitions for layer (4 of 5)

lay ³

/ (leɪ) /

noun

a ballad or short narrative poem, esp one intended to be sung

a song or melody

Word Origin for lay

C13: from Old French lai, perhaps of Germanic origin

British Dictionary definitions for layer (5 of 5)

lay ⁴

/ (leɪ) /

verb

the past tense of lie 2

Medical definitions for layer

layer

[ lā′ər ]

n.

A single thickness of a material covering a surface or forming an overlying part or segment.

v.

To divide or form into layers.

Idioms and Phrases with layer

lay

In addition to the idioms beginning with lay

lay about one
lay a finger on
lay an egg
lay aside
lay at rest
lay at someone's door
lay a wager
lay away
lay by
lay claim to
lay down
lay down the law
lay eyes on
lay for
lay hands on
lay hold of
lay in
lay into
lay it on the line
lay it on thick
lay low
lay odds
lay off
lay of the land, the
lay on
lay one's cards on the table
lay oneself out
lay on the line
lay open
lay out
lay over
lay someone low
lay to rest
lay up
lay waste

also see:

let it lay

Also see underlaid uplieput.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

layer

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Origin of layer

OTHER WORDS FROM layer

Words nearby layer

Definition for layer (2 of 2)

adjective

Origin of lay

Example sentences from the Web for layer

British Dictionary definitions for layer (1 of 5)

noun

verb

Word Origin for layer

British Dictionary definitions for layer (2 of 5)

verb lays, laying or laid (leɪd) (mainly tr)

noun

Word Origin for lay

usage for lay

British Dictionary definitions for layer (3 of 5)

adjective

Word Origin for lay

British Dictionary definitions for layer (4 of 5)

noun

Word Origin for lay

British Dictionary definitions for layer (5 of 5)

verb

Medical definitions for layer

n.

v.

Idioms and Phrases with layer

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

layer

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Origin of layer

OTHER WORDS FROM layer

Words nearby layer

Definition for layer (2 of 2)

adjective

Origin of lay

Words related to layer

Example sentences from the Web for layer

British Dictionary definitions for layer (1 of 5)

noun

verb

Word Origin for layer

British Dictionary definitions for layer (2 of 5)

verb lays, laying or laid (leɪd) (mainly tr)

noun

Word Origin for lay

usage for lay

British Dictionary definitions for layer (3 of 5)

adjective

Word Origin for lay

British Dictionary definitions for layer (4 of 5)

noun

Word Origin for lay

British Dictionary definitions for layer (5 of 5)

verb

Medical definitions for layer

n.

v.

Idioms and Phrases with layer