Definition of: layer

(lā′ər) noun
1. One who or that which lays.
2. A single horizontal thickness of a course, stratum, or coat.
3. Bot. A shoot or twig laid in the ground to take root without being detached from the parent plant.
4. In leatherwork, a welt.
5. In tanning, a pit in which hides are soaked in layers.
6. An artificial oyster bed.
—v.t. Bot. To propagate by layers. [<LAY¹ + -ER¹]
—lay′·er·ing noun
LAYER (def. 3)
A method of securing new plants from old stock.