I. ˈsəbzˌtrāt, -bˌst- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Medieval Latin substratum
1. : substratum
2.
a. : base I 2b(1), carrier 9b
b. : the base on which an organism lives
the soil is the substrate of most seed plants while rocks, soil, water, tissues, or other media are substrates for various other organisms
3.
a. : a substance acted upon (as by an enzyme)
an enzyme- substrate complex
b. : a source of reactive material (as a nutritive medium)
cultures developing on a nutrient agar substrate
II. adjective
: of, relating to, forming, or taking place in a substrate ; sometimes : basic , fundamental