Definition of substratum
: 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
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
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for substratum
The first known use of substratum was in 1631
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