Layer
/ˈleɪ.ər/noun
A sheet or level of material laid over or under another, or a person or thing that layers something.
Did you know?Layer comes from the same Germanic root as Latin *lectus* “bed” and English *lie*, all ultimately tied to the ancient idea of laying something down.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*legh-
“to lie down, lay”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*lagjaną
“to lay, place”
Old English
OE
lecger
“a bed, couch; one who lies down”
Middle English
ME
layer
“one who lays or places something; a stratum or level”
Modern English
English
layer
“a sheet, level, or stratum placed over another”