| 词组 | strata, stratum |
| 释义 | strata, stratum Strata is a Latin plural with ambitions to become an English singular. The Latin stratum, which means literally "something spread or laid down," was first used in English at the end of the 16th century. As an English word it has become common in several senses, all of which share the basic meaning "layer" or "level." The Latin plural has been retained as the usual plural in English: • ... the strata of dried oceans rise up to remind you of the planet's age —Richard Rhodes, Harper's, November 1970 • ... an omnibus organization that attracted all strata of society —Michael T. Kaufman, TV. Y. Times Mag., 23 Mar. 1980 A variant plural, Stratums, is rare in writing: • ... must learn to move in the various Stratums of society —Lou Richter, Annual Report, Peace Officers Training School, August 1952 In addition to its plural use, strata has seen occasional use as a singular since the 18th century. The OED labeled the singular strata obsolete in 1917, but it has since been resurrected (if, indeed, it ever disappeared entirely). It occurs most often in the sense "a social level": • There was a strata of Paris which mere criticism of books fails to get hold of —Ezra Pound, Polite Essays, 1937 • A single strata in the black world —Robert Deane Pharr, Library Jour., October 1968 • ... they represent a strata that is often viewed with derision by intellectuals —Harvey G. Cox, N.Y. Times Book Rev., 22 Feb. 1976 Its plural is stratas: • ... in each of these very distinct worlds different stratas exist —Patricia Johnson, N. Y. Times, 11 Mar. 1973 • The island has obvious stratas of society —Ronald Faux, Scottish Field, January 1974 Our evidence does not show the singular strata to be common, but it does seem to be persistent. Usage commentators, by and large, will not tolerate it. Continued use may eventually elevate it to the standard status of agenda and candelabra, but its current status is something less than that, and you are well advised to avoid it. When the sense is singular, use stratum; when plural, strata. For other foreign plurals, see Latin plurals. |
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