substratum
noun
sub·stra·tum
ˈsəb-ˌstrā-təm 
-ˌstra-;
ˌsəb-ˈstrā-,
-ˈstra-
plural substrata
ˈsəb-ˌstrā-tə
-ˌstra-;
ˌsəb-ˈstrā-,
-ˈstra-
: an underlying support : foundation: such as
a
: substance that is a permanent subject of qualities or phenomena
b
: the material of which something is made and from which it derives its special qualities
c
: a layer beneath the surface soil
specifically
: subsoil
e
linguistics
: a component of a language (such as a part of its phonology, syntax, or lexicon) that remains from absorption of a pre-existing language in the region where the language is currently spoken
Examples of substratum in a Sentence
drilled into the bedrock substratum
Recent Examples on the Web
If the substratum of the local and the vernacular is being erased in a metaphorical but also very literal sense by a voracious and extractive economic order, then the global subaltern’s rage must be given a voice and a place.
—
Manuel Borja-Villel, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2024
In this model the modern Turks and Kurds would also be reflective of this ancient substratum, being more insulated from Sub-Saharan admixture as well as the population movements of Arabian tribes from the peninsula in the first century or so of Islam.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 9 Aug. 2012
Precisely, the Uygurs are descended from Northeast Asian Turks, who assimilated an Indo-European speaking substratum.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 7 Sep. 2012
This may be a case where the original cultural substratum has an outsized impact (the dialect of eastern New England, made famous by the Catholic Irish of Boston, is descended from East Anglian English!).
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 30 Dec. 2011
Southeast Asians are derived from several pulses of farmers from the fringes of what became southern China, but absorbing an ancient earlier substratum.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 29 Apr. 2012
The suffix -core comes from hard core, which at first (1841) referred to broken bricks or stones that formed the hard substratum of roads and foundations.
—Melissa Mohr, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Feb. 2022
Sessions is speaking to a real perception of a significant substratum of the American citizenry.
—Christopher Shea, Vox, 1 Aug. 2018
Severance occurs when the tail tip adheres to the substratum and the rest of the planarian pulls away.
—Chris Ciaccia, Fox News, 23 May 2018
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Manuel Borja-Villel, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2024
In this model the modern Turks and Kurds would also be reflective of this ancient substratum, being more insulated from Sub-Saharan admixture as well as the population movements of Arabian tribes from the peninsula in the first century or so of Islam.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 9 Aug. 2012
Precisely, the Uygurs are descended from Northeast Asian Turks, who assimilated an Indo-European speaking substratum.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 7 Sep. 2012
This may be a case where the original cultural substratum has an outsized impact (the dialect of eastern New England, made famous by the Catholic Irish of Boston, is descended from East Anglian English!).
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 30 Dec. 2011
Southeast Asians are derived from several pulses of farmers from the fringes of what became southern China, but absorbing an ancient earlier substratum.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 29 Apr. 2012
The suffix -core comes from hard core, which at first (1841) referred to broken bricks or stones that formed the hard substratum of roads and foundations.
—Melissa Mohr, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Feb. 2022
Sessions is speaking to a real perception of a significant substratum of the American citizenry.
—Christopher Shea, Vox, 1 Aug. 2018
Severance occurs when the tail tip adheres to the substratum and the rest of the planarian pulls away.
—Chris Ciaccia, Fox News, 23 May 2018
Dictionary Entries Near substratum
Cite this Entry
“Substratum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/substratum. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
substratum
noun
sub·stra·tum
ˈsəb-ˌstrāt-əm
-ˌstrat-
: an underlying support or layer: as
a
: the material of which something is made
b
: a layer beneath the surface layer of soil : subsoil
Medical Definition
substratum
noun
sub·stra·tum
ˈsəb-ˌstrāt-əm, -ˌstrat-, ˈsəb-ˈ
plural substrata
-ə
1
: the material of which something is made and from which it derives its special qualities
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