definitions

stratify

[ strat-uh-fahy ]
/ ˈstræt əˌfaɪ /

verb (used with object), strat·i·fied, strat·i·fy·ing.

to form or place in strata or layers.
to preserve or germinate (seeds) by placing them between layers of earth.
Sociology. to arrange in a hierarchical order, especially according to graded status levels.

verb (used without object), strat·i·fied, strat·i·fy·ing.

to form strata.
Geology. to lie in beds or layers.
Sociology. to develop hierarchically, especially as graded status levels.

Nearby words

stratified epithelium, stratified random sample, stratified sample, stratiform, stratiformis, stratify, stratig., stratigraphy, strato-, stratocracy, stratocumulus

Origin of stratify

1655–65; modeled on New Latin strātificāre, equivalent to strāti- strati- + -ficāre -fy

Related forms

de-strat·i·fy, verb (used with object), de-strat·i·fied, de-strat·i·fy·ing.mul·ti·strat·i·fied, adjectivenon·strat·i·fied, adjectivesem·i·strat·i·fied, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for destratify

stratify

/ (ˈstrætɪˌfaɪ) /

verb -fies, -fying or -fied

to form or be formed in layers or strata
(tr) to preserve or render fertile (seeds) by storing between layers of sand or earth
sociol to divide (a society) into horizontal status groups or (of a society) to develop such groups

Derived Forms

stratified, adjective

Word Origin for stratify

C17: from French stratifier, from New Latin stratificāre, from Latin stratum
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012