Crossword Genius

Layers of pastry in a small turnover (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

strata

'layers' is the definition.
(I know this)

'pastry in a small turnover' is the wordplay.
'pastry' becomes 'tart' (type of pastry).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'small' becomes 's' (abbreviation - e.g. clothes size).
'turnover' shows that the letters should be reversed in order (the letters turn over).
'a'+'s'='as'
'tart' inserted into 'as' is 'atarts'.
'atarts' written backwards gives 'STRATA'.

'of' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for strata that I've seen before include "Layers as of rocks in earth's crust" , "Geological levels" , "Levels, grades or social classes" , "Layers into which rocks are divided" , "Layers of rock on earth's surface" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sunday Times and The Times.
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