noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun
eightfold; octuple
Literal sense: eight layers, folds, or repetitions. In modern use this is less common than the broader layered or double-flowered sense.
布を八重に重ねて、厚いパッドを作った。
I layered the cloth eightfold and made a thick pad.
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun
multilayered; doubled; double-flowered
Commonly used for something with many overlapping layers, especially flowers with extra petals, such as 八重の桜. It does not always mean exactly eight layers in this use.
この桜は八重で、花びらが幾重にも重なる。
This cherry tree is double-flowered, with petals overlapping in many layers.
庭に八重の椿が咲いている。
A double camellia is blooming in the garden.
Means a single layer or single-petaled form; it contrasts directly with 八重 when describing flowers.
A more ordinary word for twofold or double; 八重 can mean literally eightfold but often has a special layered or double-flowered nuance.
Means many layers or repeated layers without specifying a number; 八重 is conventionally tied to 八 but can also be used broadly for layered forms.
八 means 'eight' and 重 means 'layer' or 'fold'; the spelling transparently represents the idea of eight layers or many overlapping layers. The exact historical development of the reading やえ is not specified.