stratigraphy

stra·tig·ra·phy

noun \strə-ˈti-grə-fē\

Definition of STRATIGRAPHY

1

: geology that deals with the origin, composition, distribution, and succession of strata

2

: the arrangement of strata

Origin of STRATIGRAPHY

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use: 1865

Rhymes with STRATIGRAPHY

calligraphy, epigraphy, serigraphy

stra·tig·ra·phy

noun \strə-ˈtig-rə-fē\   (Medical Dictionary)

plural stra·tig·ra·phies

Medical Definition of STRATIGRAPHY

: tomography

stratigraphy

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Scientific discipline concerned with describing rock successions and interpreting them in terms of a general time scale. It provides a basis for historical geology, and its principles and methods are applied in such fields as petroleum geology and archaeology. Stratigraphic studies deal primarily with sedimentary rocks but may also encompass layered igneous rocks (e.g., those resulting from successive lava flows) or metamorphic rocks formed either from such extrusive igneous material or from sedimentary rocks.