substrate
    n 1: the substance that is acted upon by an enzyme or ferment
    2: a surface on which an organism grows or is attached; "the
       gardener talked about the proper substrate for acid-loving
       plants" [syn: substrate, substratum]
    3: any stratum or layer lying underneath another [syn:
       substrate, substratum]
    4: an indigenous language that contributes features to the
       language of an invading people who impose their language on
       the indigenous population; "the Celtic languages of Britain
       are a substrate for English" [syn: substrate, substratum]

Substrate \Sub"strate\, n.
   A substratum. [R.]
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Substrate \Sub"strate\, a.
   Having very slight furrows. [R.]
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Substrate \Sub*strate"\, v. t. [L. substratus, p. p. of
   substrahere. See Substratum.]
   To strew or lay under anything. [Obs.]
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         The melted glass being supported by the substrated
         sand.                                    --Boyle.
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substrate

    The body or base layer of an integrated circuit,
   onto which other layers are deposited to form the circuit.
   The substrate is usually Silicon, though Sapphire is used for
   certain applications, particularly military, where radiation
   resistance is important.  The substrate is originally part of
   the wafer from which the die is cut.  It is used as the
   electrical ground for the circuit.

   (1996-04-07)