substratum

American  

[suhb-strey-tuhm, -strat-uhm, suhb-strey-tuhm, -strat-uhm] / ˈsʌbˌstreɪ təm, -ˌstræt əm, sʌbˈstreɪ təm, -ˈstræt əm /

noun

plural

substrata, substratums

1. something that is spread or laid under something else; a stratum or layer lying under another.

2. something that underlies or serves as a basis or foundation.

3. Agriculture. the subsoil.

4. Biology. the base or material on which a nonmotile organism lives or grows.

5. Philosophy. substance, considered as that which supports accidents or attributes.

6. Photography. a layer of material placed directly on a film or plate as a foundation for the sensitive emulsion.

7. Historical Linguistics. a set of features of a language traceable to the influence of an earlier language that it has replaced, especially among a subjugated population.

   The French word for 80, quatre-vingts (“four twenties”), may reflect a Celtic substratum.

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substratum British  

/ sʌbˈstrɑːtəm, -ˈstreɪ- /

noun

1. any layer or stratum lying underneath another

2. a basis or foundation; groundwork

3. the nonliving material on which an animal or plant grows or lives

4. geology

   1. the solid rock underlying soils, gravels, etc; bedrock

   2. the surface to which a fixed organism is attached

5. sociol any of several subdivisions or grades within a stratum

6. Sometimes shortened to: sub.  photog a binding layer by which an emulsion is made to adhere to a glass or film base

7. philosophy substance considered as that in which attributes and accidents inhere

8. linguistics the language of an indigenous population when replaced by the language of a conquering or colonizing population, esp as it influences the form of the dominant language or of any mixed languages arising from their contact Compare superstratum

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substratum Scientific  

/ sŭb′strā′təm,-străt′əm /

plural

substrata

1. An underlying layer or stratum.

2. A surface on which an organism grows or is attached; a substrate.

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Other Word Forms

• substratal
  adjective
• substrative
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of substratum

From New Latin, dating back to 1625–35; see origin at sub-, stratum

Example Sentences

He thought of doing a huge abstraction called Substratum Dream of a Flag-pole Skater.

From "Cannery Row" by John Steinbeck

Substratum of limestone, caves, hollows, and sink holes.

From A New Guide for Emigrants to the West by Peck, John Mason

Substratum: Paddy straw is the main substratum used for growing mushrooms-it contains cellulose and lignin, both of which are necessary for the growth of mushrooms.

From Free from School by Alvares, Rahul

Substratum, sub-strā′tum, n. an under stratum or layer, a fundamental element: the substance in which qualities exist.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various