superstratum

[ soo-per-strey-tuhm, -strat-uhm, soo-per-strey-tuhm, -strat-uhm ]

/ ˈsu pərˌstreɪ təm, -ˌstræt əm, ˌsu pərˈstreɪ təm, -ˈstræt əm /

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noun, plural su·per·stra·ta

[soo-per-strey-tuh, -strat-uh, soo-per-strey-tuh, -strat-uh], /ˈsu pərˌstreɪ tə, -ˌstræt ə, ˌsu pərˈstreɪ tə, -ˈstræt ə/, su·per·stra·tums.

an overlying stratum or layer.

Historical Linguistics. a set of features of a language traceable to the influence of a language formerly spoken within the same society by a dominant group: English has a Norman-French superstratum.

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Compare substratum.

Origin of superstratum

1800–10; super- + stratum; cf. substratum

Words nearby superstratum

superstation, superstition, superstitious, superstore, superstorm, superstratum, superstring, superstring theory, superstruct, superstructure, supersubtle

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use superstratum in a sentence

Many of the best have a substratum of stones and sand, and a thin superstratum of vegetable earth.
A History of Champagne|Henry Vizetelly
Several pools, supplied by springs coming from under the superstratum of sandstone, were passed during the day.
Journals of Australian Explorations|A C and F T Gregory
The soil is generally deep, more or less yellow, and somewhat clayey; the hollows having a thin superstratum of black mould.
Journals of Travels in Assam, Burma, Bhootan, Afghanistan and The|William Griffith
They are probably kept near to the surface of the earth by a superstratum of cold air.
The Reason Why|Anonymous

After a time the superstratum of rock, which is full of cracks and seams, is undermined and precipitated into the chasm below.
The Falls of Niagara and Other Famous Cataracts|George W. Holley

British Dictionary definitions for superstratum

superstratum

/ (ˌsuːpəˈstrɑːtəm, -ˈstreɪ-) /

noun plural -ta (-tə) or -tums

geology a layer or stratum overlying another layer or similar structure

linguistics the language of a conquering or colonizing population as it supplants that of an indigenous population, as for example French and English in the CaribbeanCompare substratum (def. 8)

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

superstratum

Origin of superstratum

Words nearby superstratum

Words related to superstratum

How to use superstratum in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for superstratum