define strats
straâ¢tum (strÄâ²tÉm, stratâ²Ém), n., pl. straâ¢ta. 1  a layer of material, naturally or artificially formed, often one of a number of parallel layers one upon another:a stratum of ancient foundations. 2  one of a number of portions or divisions likened to layers or levels:an allegory with many strata of meaning.