[ 'strα:təm , 'streɪtəm ]
■ noun ( plural strata -tə )
1》 a layer or a series of layers of rock.
2》 a thin layer within any structure.
3》 a level or class of society.
Origin
C16: mod. L., from L., lit. 'something spread or laid down', neut. past participle of sternere 'strew'.
Usage
In English, as in the original Latin, ~ is singular and its plural form is strata . It is therefore incorrect to use strata as a singular or to create the form stratas as the plural: a series of overlying strata not a series of overlying stratas , and a new ~ was uncovered not a new strata was uncovered .