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| sub·stra·tum [ súb stràytəm, súb stràttəm ] (plural sub·stra·ta [ súb stràytə, súb stràttə ]) |
noun |
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| Definition: |
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1. underlying base: an underlying base, layer, or element
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2. agriculture
Same as subsoil
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3. geology
Same as bedrock (sense 2)
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4. photog base for emulsion: a layer of a substance placed on a photographic film or plate as a foundation for an emulsion
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5. linguistics set of retained indigenous linguistic features: a set of linguistic features retained from the speech of an indigenous culture, especially one that influences the language of a colonizer.
See also superstratum (sense 2)
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6. biology nonliving foundation for growing organism: the nonliving material or base on which an organism lives or grows
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7. philosophy essence: the essential substance of something
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| [Mid-17th century. < modern Latin< form of past participle of Latin substernere "spread underneath" < sternere "lay or throw down"] |
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  sub·stra·tal adjective |
| sub·stra·tive adjective |
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