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subsoil

American  
[suhb-soil] / ˈsʌbˌsɔɪl /

noun

  1. the bed or stratum of earth or earthy material immediately under the surface soil.


subsoil British  
/ ˈsʌbˌsɔɪl /

noun

    1. Also called: undersoil.  the layer of soil beneath the surface soil and overlying the bedrock

    2. ( as modifier )

      a subsoil plough

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (tr) to plough (land) to a depth below the normal ploughing level and so break up the subsoil

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
subsoil Scientific  
/ sŭbsoil′ /
  1. In an ABC soil, the B horizon. The term was formerly used to mean the layer of earth below the humus or surface soil.


Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of subsoil

First recorded in 1790–1800; sub- + soil 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Subsoil 2019 chardonnay, Horse Heaven Hills, $12.99: The Mercers tap into prized Eagle & Plow Vineyard and nearby Zephyr Ridge for a lightly oaked and balanced chardonnay under this young tier.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 28, 2020

Subsoil mining followed as a matter of course, but subsoil mining is expensive.

From Time Magazine Archive

Subsoil rights of U. S. citizens who acquired lands before May, 1917, without expressing an intention of exploiting them for oil do not fall under the first category according to the Mexican delegates.

From Time Magazine Archive

The Injurious Effects of Standing Water in the Subsoil may be best explained in connection with the description of a soil which needs under-draining.

From Draining for Profit, and Draining for Health by Waring, George E. (George Edwin)

The things that real people are really doing, when one thinks of it, are Soap, Tooth-brushes, Subsoil Pipes, Wall Papers, Razors, Mattresses, Suspenders, Tiles, Shoes, Pots, and Kettles.

From Crowds A Moving-Picture of Democracy by Lee, Gerald Stanley