substrate
n.-
1 biological surface (n.) C1 Advanced Technical Sciencethe surface or material that a plant or animal lives and grows on.
the surface or medium on which an organism grows or is attached.
ExampleThe coral larvae need a hard substrate like rock to attach themselves to.
ExampleIn the intertidal zone, the type of substrate—whether sandy, muddy, or rocky—determines which species of invertebrates can successfully colonise the area.
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2 chemical reactant (n.) C1 Advanced Technical Sciencea substance that an enzyme acts on to cause a chemical reaction.
the specific compound or molecule upon which an enzyme acts to produce a chemical change.
ExampleThe enzyme breaks down the substrate into smaller pieces of sugar.
ExampleThe lock-and-key model describes how the enzyme's active site is shaped specifically to fit its corresponding substrate.
- reactant
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3 underlying layer (n.) C1 Advanced Technical Sciencea bottom layer or base that supports something else on top of it.
an underlying substance or layer; a substratum providing the foundation for another material.
ExampleThe silicon substrate is the base for all the tiny parts in a computer chip.
ExampleBefore applying the final decorative coating, the technician ensured the metal substrate was free of any oxidation or debris.
- base
- foundation
- underlayer
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4 linguistic influence (n.) C2 Proficiency Academic Technicala language that was spoken in an area before a new one took over and influenced it.
a language of lower prestige which influences a dominant language that has replaced it in a population.
ExampleThe local language acted as a substrate, changing how the new settlers spoke.
ExampleLinguists argue that the Celtic substrate significantly influenced the phonology and syntax of the English spoken in those specific regions.
- substratum
- superstrate
Anglicization of substratum.