substratenoun/ˈsʌbˌstɹeɪt/

• 1

  An underlying layer; a substratum.

• 2

  The substance lining the bottom edge of an enclosure.

  • The substrate of an aquarium can affect the water's acidity.
  • Stream substrate affects fish longevity.
• 3

  biochemistrybiologychemistryA substance acted upon, as by an enzyme.

• 4

  biologynatural-sciencesA surface on which an organism grows, or to which an organism or an item is attached.

  • 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.
• 5

  human-scienceslinguisticssciencesA language that is replaced in a population by another language and that influences the language imposed on its speakers.

• 6

  A metal which is plated with another metal which has different physical properties.

• 7

  businessconstructionmanufacturingA surface to which a substance adheres.

substrateverb/ˈsʌbˌstɹeɪt/

• 1

  obsoleteTo strew or lay under.

  • The melted glass being supported by the substrated sand.

substrateadj/ˈsʌbˌstɹeɪt/

• 1

  Having very slight furrows.