overlain
Resting on top
Overlain is the past participle of overlay, meaning covered or spread over the surface of something: The bedrock was overlain by glacial deposits.
The word appears most often in geological and archaeological contexts describing layers of material.
Not to be confused with overlaid, which is also a past participle of overlay but more common in general usage.
Covered entirely, uniformly
- drapedHung in loose folds
- mantledCovered as with cloak
- shroudedCovered and hidden
- cloakedConcealed or covered
enveloped · swathed · carpeted · coated · smothered · buried · submerged · inundated
Study of rock layers
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
- depositPlace for safekeeping
- bedrockSolid stone underground
- strataParallel geological layers
outcrop · formation · unconformity · alluvium · overburden · till · moraine · loess
Placed over something else
- stratifiedArranged in stacked layers
- laminatedBonded between protective layers
- tieredHaving multiple levels
- stackedArranged in a heap
sandwiched · interlayered · bedded · banded · coated · veneered · sheeted · shingled
On the summit of
- beneathIn a lower position
- superposedPlaced directly above
- surmountingPrevailing over difficulties
- cappingSetting an upper limit
topping · covering · resting · positioned · situated · above · below · uppermost
blanketed
Covered entirely, uniformly
cloaked · enveloped · swathed · carpeted · coated · smothered · buried · submerged · inundated · veiled
stratigraphy
Study of rock layers
strata · outcrop · formation · unconformity · alluvium · overburden · till · moraine · loess · mantle
superimposed
Placed over something else
- stratifiedArranged in stacked layers
- laminatedBonded between protective layers
- tieredHaving multiple levels
stacked · sandwiched · interlayered · bedded · banded · coated · veneered · sheeted · shingled · terraced
atop
On the summit of
- beneathIn a lower position
- superposedPlaced directly above
- surmountingPrevailing over difficulties
capping · topping · covering · resting · positioned · situated · above · below · uppermost · topmost
overlainunderlain
Having something beneath
underlying · beneath · underneath · submerged · basal
- overlay districtsSupplementary zoning boundaries
- visual overlayImage displayed over another