Geological layer (7)
I believe the answer is:
stratum
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">geological layer</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(I've seen this before)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is the entire clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for stratum that I've seen before include "(Geological) layer" , "stretch of rock" , "Bed of sedimentary rock" , "rock band" , "Social class - level" .)