The Collaborative International Dictionary
Tiers of a cable
Tier \Tier\, n. [Perhaps fr. OF. tire, F. tire; probably of Teutonic origin; cf. OHG. ziar[=i] ornament, G. zier, AS. t[=i]r glory, ti['e]r row, rank. But cf. also F. tirer to draw, pull; of Teutonic origin. Cf. Attire, v. t., Tire a headdress, but also Tirade.] A row or rank, especially one of two or more rows placed one above, or higher than, another; as, a tier of seats in a theater.
Tiers of a cable, the ranges of fakes, or windings, of a cable, laid one within another when coiled.