stratify — English Dictionary

Verb

1. To become separated out into distinct layers or strata.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

   Examples

   Even without a pronounced social class system, people in a large society tend to stratify.

2. To separate out into distinct layers or strata.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   In this cut you can see how the sedimentary rock layers have been clearly stratified.

Verb

1. divide society into social classes or castes

   Broader terms

   distinguishseparatedifferentiatesecernsecernateseveralizeseveralisetelltell apart

   Examples

   Income distribution often stratifies a society

2. form layers or strata

   Broader terms

   arrangeset up

   Examples

   The rock stratifies

3. develop different social levels, classes, or castes

   Broader terms

   change

   Examples

   Society stratifies when the income gap widens

4. form, arrange, or deposit in layers

   Broader terms

   putsetplaceposepositionlay

   Examples

   The fish are stratified in barrels

   The rock was stratified by the force of the water

   More examples (1)

   A statistician stratifies the list of names according to the addresses

5. render fertile and preserve by placing between layers of earth or sand

   Broader terms

   inseminatefecundatefertilizefertilise

   Examples

   stratify seeds