FOUNDATION


Meaning of FOUNDATION in English

I. fau̇nˈdāshən noun

( -s )

Etymology: Middle English foundacioun, from Middle French fondation, from Latin fundation-, fundatio, from fundatus (past participle of fundare to found) + -ion-, -io -ion

1. : the act of founding: as

a. : the act of taking the first steps in building or of building for the first time

thy love for me before the foundation of the world — Jn 17:24 (Revised Standard Version)

b. : the act of establishing on a permanent basis typically with provision for future maintenance

his piety was evidenced by his foundation of several religious houses

2.

a. : the basis on which something is founded : the basis upon which something stands or is supported

is very little foundation for this objection either in reason or good taste — William Hazlitt

b. archaic : a basis of agreement : understanding

the English might again repair to their respective houses and trade on the old foundation — Alexander Hamilton

3.

a. : funds given for the permanent support of an institution or cause : endowment

we are anxious to establish scholarships and endowments; hence we solicit such foundations from our friends — Bulletin of Mt. Saint Mary's College

b. : an organization or institution established by endowment

the citizen taxpayer has succeeded the philanthropic foundation as the principal underwriter of the costs of science — Scientific American Reader

or otherwise established with provision for future maintenance

the Benedictine order is a religious foundation dating from the sixth century

4.

a. : an underlying natural or prepared base or support

the terrain … has a gracefully undulating surface over a limestone foundation — J.T.Dorris

foundation for the boilers and engines of a ship

b. : a means of transferring building loads to the soil below:

(1) : the supporting part of a wall or structure usually below ground level and including footings

(2) : the whole masonry substructure of a building

5. : a body or ground upon which something is built up or overlaid: as

a. : a stiffening or backing piece in an article of clothing

b. : a basic stitch or pattern

c. : the form on or over which a manufactured article is constructed

allow woven rush baskets to dry thoroughly before you remove them from the foundation as in this way the shape becomes properly set — F.J.Christopher

d. or foundation garment : a woman's supporting undergarment : corset , corslet , girdle

e. : a cosmetic in liquid, cream, or cake form usually used as a base for makeup

f. : a priming coat of pigment sometimes laid over canvas as a ground for oil painting

g. : a thin sheet of pressed beeswax imitating the bottoms of natural honeycomb cells that is placed in a frame or section to shorten the time for and increase uniformity in comb building by hived bees

h. : a card of a prescribed rank placed face up as the starter for a sequence in solitaire

- on the foundation

II. transitive verb

( -ed/-ing/-s )

: found III

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.