stratum          
noun [ C ] uk/ˈstrɑː.təm/ us/ˈstreɪt̬.əm/  strata /ˈstrɑː.tə/ us/ˈstreɪt̬.ə/
 部分;层;阶层
one of the parts or layers into which something is separated
  The report shows that drugs have penetrated every stratum of American society. 报告显示,毒品已经渗入美国社会的各个阶层。 
  geology specialized层;岩层;地层 
a layer of rock, soil, or similar material
  The cliffs are characterized by remarkable zigzagging strata of shale and sandstone. 这些悬崖的特征是它们由一层层清晰易辨的页岩、石灰岩和砂岩交错构成。