superstratum

[ soo-per-strey-tuhm, -strat-uhm, soo-per-strey-tuhm, -strat-uhm ]

noun

, plural su·per·stra·ta [soo, -per-strey-t, uh, -strat-, uh, soo-per-, strey, -t, uh, -, strat, -, uh], su·per·stra·tums.

1. an overlying stratum or layer.
2. Historical Linguistics. a set of features of a language traceable to the influence of a language formerly spoken within the same society by a dominant group:

   English has a Norman-French superstratum.

superstratum

/ -ˈstreɪ-; ˌsuːpəˈstrɑːtəm /

noun

1. geology a layer or stratum overlying another layer or similar structure
2. linguistics the language of a conquering or colonizing population as it supplants that of an indigenous population, as for example French and English in the Caribbean Compare substratum

Word History and Origins

Origin of superstratum¹

1800–10; super- + stratum; substratum

Example Sentences

Many of the best have a substratum of stones and sand, and a thin superstratum of vegetable earth.

From Project Gutenberg

Several pools, supplied by springs coming from under the superstratum of sandstone, were passed during the day.

From Project Gutenberg

The soil is generally deep, more or less yellow, and somewhat clayey; the hollows having a thin superstratum of black mould.

From Project Gutenberg

They are probably kept near to the surface of the earth by a superstratum of cold air.

From Project Gutenberg

After a time the superstratum of rock, which is full of cracks and seams, is undermined and precipitated into the chasm below.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• coating
• facade
• skin
• surface