substratum
something that is spread or laid under something else; a stratum or layer lying under another.
something that underlies or serves as a basis or foundation.
Agriculture. the subsoil.
Biology. the base or material on which a nonmotile organism lives or grows.
Philosophy. substance, considered as that which supports accidents or attributes.
Photography. a layer of material placed directly on a film or plate as a foundation for the sensitive emulsion.
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.
Origin of substratum
1Other words from substratum
- sub·stra·tive, sub·stra·tal, adjective
- Compare superstratum.
Words Nearby substratum
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use substratum in a sentence
Still, there is a substratum of truth in the dirty monk's philosophy, as you'll find out before you are much older.
The Everlasting Arms | Joseph HockingA substratum of the oldest faith of the land has survived all the changes of seven thousand years.
The Cradle of Mankind | W.A. WigramBeneath Verinder's bland manner there lurked a substratum of triumph.
The Highgrader | William MacLeod Raine"There may always be a substratum of friendship," she argued.
Tristram of Blent | Anthony HopeMiracles are the substratum of the foundation underlying our faith.
Autobiography of Frank G. Allen, Minister of the Gospel | Frank G. Allen
British Dictionary definitions for substratum
/ (sʌbˈstrɑːtəm, -ˈstreɪ-) /
any layer or stratum lying underneath another
a basis or foundation; groundwork
the nonliving material on which an animal or plant grows or lives
geology
the solid rock underlying soils, gravels, etc; bedrock
the surface to which a fixed organism is attached
sociol any of several subdivisions or grades within a stratum
photog a binding layer by which an emulsion is made to adhere to a glass or film base: Sometimes shortened to: sub
philosophy substance considered as that in which attributes and accidents inhere
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 (def. 2)
Origin of substratum
1Derived forms of substratum
- substrative or substratal, adjective
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
Scientific definitions for substratum
[ sŭb′strā′təm, -străt′əm ]
An underlying layer or stratum.
A surface on which an organism grows or is attached; a substrate.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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