layer

A single thickness of some material covering a surface.

“After the first coat of paint dried, he applied another layer.”

A (usually) horizontal deposit; a stratum.

“I find seven-layer cake a bit too rich.”

One of the items in a hierarchy.

“mired in layers of deceit”

(by analogy to a stack of transparencies) one in a stack of (initially transparent) drawing surfaces that comprise an image; used to keep elements of an image separate so that they can be modified independently from one another.

To cut or divide (something) into layers

To arrange (something) in layers.

“Layer the ribbons on top of one another to make an attractive pattern.”

A person who lays things, such as tiles.

A mature female bird, insect, etc. that is able to lay eggs.

“When dealing with an infestation of headlice, the first step is to eliminate the layers.”

A hen kept to lay eggs.

A shoot of a plant, laid underground for growth.