(~s)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
The ~ of something such as a belief or way of life is the things on which it is based.
The issue strikes at the very ~ of our community...
This laid the ~s for later modern economic growth.
N-COUNT: usu the N of/for n
•
If an event shakes the ~s of a society or a system of beliefs, it causes great uncertainty and makes people question their most deeply held beliefs.
The destruction of war and the death of millions of young people shook the ~s of Western idealism...
PHRASE: V inflects
2.
The ~s of a building or other structure are the layer of bricks or concrete below the ground that it is built on.
N-PLURAL
3.
A ~ is an organization which provides money for a special purpose such as research or charity.
...the National Foundation for Educational Research.
N-COUNT
4.
If a story, idea, or argument has no ~, there are no facts to prove that it is true.
The allegations were without ~...
Each complaint is analysed very closely, and if it has no ~ it is rejected.
N-UNCOUNT: with brd-neg
5.
Foundation is a skin-coloured cream that you put on your face before putting on the rest of your make-up.
N-MASS
6.
see also found