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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Set some time apart to test your bracket symbol knowledge, and see if you can keep your parentheses, squares, curlies, and angles all straight!
Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT Compare substratum.
Origin of superstratum
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. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for superstratum
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
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