I. tier ˈti(ə)r, -iə noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle French tire order, rank, row — more at attire
1. : a row, rank, or layer of articles ; especially : one of two or more rows arranged one above another
tier upon tier of huge casks
built up neat tiers of firewood
a window curtained with three tiers of ruffled net
2.
a. : a row of guns or gun portholes (as in a warship or fort)
b.
(1) : the ranges of the windings of a coiled cable ; also : a layer of anchor chain
(2) : the hollow space enclosed by a coil of cable
(3) : cable tier
c. : a row of moored or anchored ships
d. : a vertical layer of brickwork whose thickness is the width of a brick — called also withe
e. Australia : a mountain range
f. : a group of political or geographical divisions (as counties or states) that form a row across the map
g. : an antenna array consisting of rows of antenna elements placed one above another
3.
a. : class , category
the lowest tier of society
b. : rank 9
II. tier verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
transitive verb
: to place or arrange in tiers
intransitive verb
: to rise in tiers
cliffs tiering along the margin of the valley
III. ti·er noun
also ty·er ˈtī(ə)r, -īə
( -s )
Etymology: tie (II) + -er
1. : one that ties ; especially : a worker that closes openings or binds articles by tying
2. New England : a child's pinafore fastened with ties
IV. tier abbreviation
tierce