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
Cite this Entry
“Substratum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/substratum. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.
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