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stra·tum (str t m, str t m)n. pl. stra·ta (-t ) or stra·tums 1. A horizontal layer of material, especially one of several parallel layers arranged one on top of another. 2. Geology A bed or layer of sedimentary rock having approximately the same composition throughout. 3. Any of the regions of the atmosphere, such as the troposphere, that occur as layers. 4. Biology A layer of tissue: the epithelial stratum. 5. A level of society composed of people with similar social, cultural, or economic status. 6. One of a number of layers, levels, or divisions in an organized system: a complex poem with many strata of meaning.
[Latin str tum, a covering, from neuter past participle of sternere, to spread; see stratus.]
Usage Note: The standard singular form is stratum; the standard plural is strata (or sometimes stratums), not stratas. |
stratum [ˈstrɑːtəm]n pl -ta [-tə], -tums1. (Earth Sciences / Geological Science) (usually plural) any of the distinct layers into which sedimentary rocks are divided 2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biology) Biology a single layer of tissue or cells 3. a layer of any material, esp one of several parallel layers 4. (Earth Sciences / Physical Geography) a layer of ocean or atmosphere either naturally or arbitrarily demarcated 5. (Sociology) a level of a social hierarchy that is distinguished according to such criteria as educational achievement or caste status [via New Latin from Latin: something strewn, from sternere to scatter] stratal adj
Stratum one of a number of layers, 1902. Examples: stratum of society, 1850; of mythological thought, 1870; the lower social stratum, 1902.
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms | Noun | 1. | stratum - one of several parallel layers of material arranged one on top of another (such as a layer of tissue or cells in an organism or a layer of sedimentary rock)organism, being - a living thing that has (or can develop) the ability to act or function independently epidermis, cuticle - the outer layer of the skin covering the exterior body surface of vertebrates stratum lucidum - the layer of epidermis immediately under the stratum corneum in the skin of the palms and soles stratum granulosum - the layer of epidermis just under the stratum corneum or (on the palms and soles) just under the stratum lucidum; contains cells (with visible granules) that die and move to the surface cambium - the inner layer of the periosteum paries, wall - (anatomy) a layer (a lining or membrane) that encloses a structure; "stomach walls" layer - a relatively thin sheetlike expanse or region lying over or under another horizon - a specific layer or stratum of soil or subsoil in a vertical cross section of land seam, bed - a stratum of ore or coal thick enough to be mined with profit; "he worked in the coal beds" bed - (geology) a stratum of rock (especially sedimentary rock); "they found a bed of sandstone" | | 2. | stratum - people having the same social, economic, or educational status; "the working class"; "an emerging professional class"people - (plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively; "old people"; "there were at least 200 people in the audience" world, domain - people in general; especially a distinctive group of people with some shared interest; "the Western world" society - an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization agriculture - the class of people engaged in growing food estate of the realm, the three estates, estate - a major social class or order of persons regarded collectively as part of the body politic of the country (especially in the United Kingdom) and formerly possessing distinct political rights booboisie - class consisting of all those who are considered boobs demimonde - a class of woman not considered respectable because of indiscreet or promiscuous behavior yeomanry - class of small freeholders who cultivated their own land caste - a social class separated from others by distinctions of hereditary rank or profession or wealth caste - (Hinduism) a hereditary social class among Hindus; stratified according to ritual purity ninja - a class of 14th century Japanese who were trained in martial arts and were hired for espionage and assassinations firing line - the most advanced and responsible group in an activity; "the firing line is where the action is" immigrant class - recent immigrants who are lumped together as a class by their low socioeconomic status in spite of different cultural backgrounds center - politically moderate persons; centrists old school - a class of people favoring traditional ideas market - the customers for a particular product or service; "before they publish any book they try to determine the size of the market for it" craft, trade - people who perform a particular kind of skilled work; "he represented the craft of brewers"; "as they say in the trade" fair sex, womanhood, woman - women as a class; "it's an insult to American womanhood"; "woman is the glory of creation"; "the fair sex gathered on the veranda" | | 3. | stratum - an abstract place usually conceived as having depth; "a good actor communicates on several levels"; "a simile has at least two layers of meaning"; "the mind functions on many strata simultaneously"place - an abstract mental location; "he has a special place in my thoughts"; "a place in my heart"; "a political system with no place for the less prominent groups" |
stratum
Translations stratum [ˈstrɑːtəm] N ( stratums or strata (pl)) stratum [ˈstrɑːtəm] [ strata] ( pl) n stratum n pl <strata> (Geol, fig) → Schicht f stratum [ˈstrɑːtəm] n ( strata (pl)) ( also) ( fig) → strato
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