/ ˈleɪə(r); ˈleə(r); NAmE ˈler/ noun , verb
■ noun
1.
a quantity or thickness of sth that lies over a surface or between surfaces :
A thin layer of dust covered everything.
How many layers of clothing are you wearing?
2.
a level or part within a system or set of ideas :
There were too many layers of management in the company.
the layers of meaning in the poem
■ verb
[ vn ] [ often passive ] to arrange sth in layers :
Layer the potatoes and onions in a dish.
Her hair had been layered (= cut to several different lengths) .
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (denoting a mason): from lay (verb) + -er . The sense stratum of material covering a surface (early 17th cent.) may represent a respelling of an obsolete agricultural use of lair denoting quality of soil.