Meaning

An underlying layer; a substratum..

Definitions by Sense

1. An underlying layer; a substratum.
2. The substance lining the bottom edge of an enclosure.
3. (biochemistry) A substance acted upon, as by an enzyme.
4. (biology) A surface on which an organism grows, or to which an organism or an item is attached.
5. (linguistics) A language that is replaced in a population by another language and that influences the language imposed on its speakers.
6. (plating) A metal which is plated with another metal which has different physical properties.
7. (construction) A surface to which a substance adheres.
8. (obsolete, transitive) To strew or lay under.

Example Sentences

The substrate of an aquarium can affect the water's acidity.

Stream substrate affects fish longevity.

The rock surface of a rockpool is the substrate for a sessile organism such as a limpet.

This definition [of "tool"] is not simple, but contains several elements. The tool must not be part of the animal's body (a beak is not a tool); the user must manipulate the tool in some way for it to realise its function; and, finally, a tool cannot be attached to the substrate. This is a fairly clear definition, but does seem to produce some rather arbitrary distinctions (Hansell 1987b). The spider Dinopis, for example, makes a small web which it holds in its legs, thrusting it down on passing ants. This is a tool, but all other webs, however complex, are not since they are anchored to the substrate. The woodpecker finch […] that uses a fine stick held in the beak to extract insect prey from wood, is a tool user, but a shrike […] that impales an insect on a thorn still attached to the bush is not.

Detach/subtract [tasks involve] Severing a fixed attachment between environmental objects (or the substrate) or removing object(s) from another unattached object, so the latter is a more useful tool.

Amphisteginids and peneroplids were among the few taxa found in the bay environments, probably due to their preferences for phytal substrates and tolerance to moderate levels of eutrophication.

The melted glass being supported by the substrated sand.

Word Forms

• substrates
• substrating
• substrated
• more substrate
• most substrate

Synonyms for substrate

Antonyms for substrate

Related Words

When Should You Use Substrate?

Use substrate when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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