- substratum
- substratum [sub′strāt΄əm, sub′strat΄əm]n.pl. substrata [sub′strāt΄ə, sub′strat΄ə] or substratums [ModL < L, neut. of substratus, pp. of substernere, to strew beneath < sub-, under + sternere, to spread out < IE base * ster- > STREW]1.a) a part, substance, element, etc. which lies beneath and supports another; foundationb) any basis or foundation2. SUBSTRATE (senses 2 & 3)3. loosely SUBSOIL4. Bot. the base or material to which a plant is attached and from which it gets nutriment5. Metaphysics substance, with reference to the events or causes which act upon it, the changes occurring in it, the attributes that inhere in it, etc.6. Photog. a thin layer of material on a photographic film or plate serving as a base for the sensitive emulsion7. Zool. the ground or other solid material on which an animal moves or is fastened
English World dictionary. V. Neufeldt. 2014.