superstratum noun. [su:pǝ'strɑ:tǝm, -'streɪtǝm, sju:-] Pl. -ta [-tǝ]. E19.
[mod. Latin, use as noun of neut. sing. of pa. pple of Latin supersternere spread over: see SUPER-, STRATUM.]
1. A stratum or layer deposited over or on something; an overlying or superficial stratum. Cf. SUBSTRATUM 2. E19.

2. Linguistics. A language responsible for linguistic change (esp. in vocabulary) in another on which it is imposed and over which it is temporarily dominant. Cf. SUBSTRATUM 4. M20.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲