Subsoil
/ˈsʌb.sɔɪl/noun
The layer of soil directly beneath the topsoil.
Did you know?Subsoil is a straightforward scientific term, but its first element comes from Latin sub- meaning “under,” the same ancient root that powers words like submarine and subterranean.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*upo
“under, below”
Latin
Latin
sub
“under, beneath”
Old English
English
sōl
“soil, ground”
Middle English
English
subsoile
“the layer beneath the surface soil”
Modern English
English
subsoil
“the soil layer beneath the topsoil”
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