n.
Pronunciation: ' s ə b- ˌ str ā -t ə m, - ˌ stra-, ˌ s ə b- '
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -stra · ta \ -t ə \
Etymology: Medieval Latin, from Latin, neuter of substratus, past participle of substernere to spread under, from sub- + sternere to spread ― more at STREW
Date: 1631
: an underlying support : FOUNDATION : 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 d : SUBSTRATE 2