subsoil

[ suhb-soil ]
/ ˈsʌbˌsɔɪl /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR subsoil ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the bed or stratum of earth or earthy material immediately under the surface soil.
Also called undersoil.

Origin of subsoil

First recorded in 1790–1800; sub- + soil1

Words nearby subsoil

subsistence farming, subsistence level, subsistence wage, subsistent, subsocial, subsoil, subsoil plow, subsoiler, subsolar, subsong, subsonic

Words related to subsoil

land, dirt, terrain, shore, surface, coast, mud, clay, dust, turf, gravel, sand, clod, sod, muck, compost, deposit, mold, fill, marl

Example sentences from the Web for subsoil

British Dictionary definitions for subsoil

subsoil
/ (ˈsʌbˌsɔɪl) /

noun

  1. Also called: undersoil the layer of soil beneath the surface soil and overlying the bedrock
  2. (as modifier)a subsoil plough

verb

(tr) to plough (land) to a depth below the normal ploughing level and so break up the subsoil

Derived forms of subsoil

subsoiler, noun

Scientific definitions for subsoil

subsoil
[ sŭb′soil′ ]

In an ABC soil, the B horizon. The term was formerly used to mean the layer of earth below the humus or surface soil.