layering

[ley-er-ing]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR layering ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the wearing of lightweight or unconstructed garments one upon the other, as to create a fashionable ensemble or to provide warmth without undue bulkiness or heaviness.

Tailoring. the trimming of multiple layers of fabric at the seam allowance of a garment so as to prevent a ridge on the face of the garment when the seam is sewn.

Horticulture. Also lay·er·age

[ley-er-ij] /ˈleɪ ər ɪdʒ/. a method of propagating plants by causing their shoots to take root while still attached to the parent plant.

Origin of layering

layer + -ing¹

layer

[ley-er]

noun

a thickness of some material laid on or spread over a surface: a layer of soot on the window sill; two layers of paint.

bed; stratum: alternating layers of basalt and sandstone.

a person or thing that lays: a carpet layer.

a hen kept for egg production.

one of several items of clothing worn one on top of the other.

Horticulture.

a shoot or twig that is induced to root while still attached to the living stock, as by bending and covering with soil.
a plant so propagated.

Ropemaking. a machine for laying rope or cable.

verb (used with object)

to make a layer of.

to form or arrange in layers.

to arrange or wear (clothing) in layers: You can layer this vest over a blouse or sweater.

Horticulture. to propagate by layering.

verb (used without object)

to separate into or form layers.

(of a garment) to permit of wearing in layers; be used in layering: Frilly blouses don't layer well.

Origin of layer

First recorded in 1350–1400, layer is from the Middle English word leyer, legger. See lay¹, -er¹

Related formslay·er·a·ble, adjectivein·ter·lay·er, nounin·ter·lay·er, verb (used with object)non·lay·ered, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for layering

protect, coat, blanket, shroud, enclose, dress, bury, plate, layer, separate, flake, face, foil, split, exfoliate, stratify, veneer, foliate, scale, enamel

Examples from the Web for layering

Contemporary Examples of layering

Minaj further mystifies her motives by layering these terrifying, offensive visual cues with her own totally incongruous lyrics.
Nicki Minaj’s ‘Only’ Lyrics Video Is Like a Loose Adaptation of ‘Mein Kampf’ ft. Drake
Amy Zimmerman
November 10, 2014
“I think every cyclist including me will be layering it on,” she said.
Pippa Eating At McDonalds in Missouri RIGHT NOW!
Tom Sykes
June 18, 2014
Another key theme was layering—such as textured miniskirts over longer, narrow skirts—and suede or tutus over layers.
Chanel, Back to the Future
Liza Foreman
July 2, 2013
The bust detail on his dresses often mimicked the layering of petals, for instance.
Raf Simons Debuts at Christian Dior With Couture Collection
Robin Givhan
July 2, 2012
The final dresses, in fuchsia with embroidery, appliqué, layering and all manner of technical wizardry were a Cinderella dream.
Paris Fall Fashion Week Ends With Vuitton and Kanye
Robin Givhan
March 7, 2012

Historical Examples of layering

Layering is a simple method by which plants may be multiplied.
Your Plants
James Sheehan
They can be propagated by layering, which is rather a slow method, or rapidly by seed.
Talks about Flowers.
M. D. Wellcome
The summer is the best period for layering the young shoots.
Parsons on the Rose
Samuel Browne Parsons
The drawback is that fewer plants can be obtained by layering than from cuttings with a given amount of wood.
Manual of American Grape-Growing
U. P. Hedrick
The essentials of layering have been given, but a number of non-essentials may be helpful under some conditions.
Manual of American Grape-Growing
U. P. Hedrick

British Dictionary definitions for layering

layering

noun

horticulture a method of propagation that induces a shoot or branch to take root while it is still attached to the parent plant

geology the banded appearance of certain igneous and metamorphic rocks, each band being of a different mineral composition

layer

noun

a thickness of some homogeneous substance, such as a stratum or a coating on a surface

one of four or more levels of vegetation defined in ecological studies: the ground or moss layer, the field or herb layer, the shrub layer, and one or more tree layers

a laying hen

horticulture

a shoot or branch rooted during layering
a plant produced as a result of layering

verb

to form or make a layer of (something)

to take root or cause to take root by layering

Word Origin for layer

C14 leyer, legger, from lay 1 + -er 1

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

Word Origin and History for layering

layer

1832, from layer (n.). Related: Layered; layering.

layer

late 14c., "one who or that lays" (especially stones, "a mason"), agent noun from lay (v.). Passive sense of "that which is laid over a surface" first recorded 1610s, but because earliest English use was in cookery, this is perhaps from French liue "binding," used of a thickened sauce. Layer cake attested from 1881.

layering in Medicine

layer

[lā′ər]

n.

A single thickness of a material covering a surface or forming an overlying part or segment.

v.

To divide or form into layers.