a relatively thin sheetlike expanse or region lying over or under another
"The gardener carefully spread a fresh layer of mulch over the bare soil to help retain moisture."
a hen that lays eggs
"The farmhand noticed that one of our layers had stopped producing eggs and decided to isolate her until she recovered."
thin structure composed of a single thickness of cells
"The pathologist examined the tissue slide to confirm that the tumor had not invaded beyond the single layer of epithelial cells lining the stomach wall."
A single thickness of some material covering a surface.
"The hired layer spent the entire afternoon carefully placing each tile on the kitchen floor."
A person who lays anything, such as tiles or a wager.
In plain English: A layer is one of several flat sheets stacked on top of each other to make up something thicker.
"She spread a thin layer of butter on the toast before adding the jam."
Usage: Use "layer" to describe a distinct sheet or coating of material within something, rather than a person who performs laying tasks. This noun refers to the physical arrangement of items in strata, not the individual placing them.
To cut or divide into layers.
"She carefully sliced the cake to create even layers for each slice."
In plain English: To layer something means to put it on top of other things in separate levels.
"She layered the cake with cream and strawberries before frosting it."
Usage: Use "layer" as a verb to describe placing multiple thin sheets or portions on top of each other, such as stacking fabric or adding ingredients in a casserole. Do not use it to mean cutting something into slices, which requires a different word like "slice" or "cut.
A surname.
"The new employee introduced herself as Sarah Layer during the team meeting."
The word "layer" likely entered English in Middle English as leyer, meaning a layer of stones or bricks, and is related to the verb "to lay." However, some scholars suggest it may have originated from an obsolete farming sense of the word "lair," which referred to soil.