1. n. a person who founds an institution.
Derivatives:
foundership n.2. v. & n.
--v.
1. a intr. (of a ship) fill with water and sink. b tr. cause (a ship) to founder.
2 intr. (of a plan etc.) fail.
3 intr. (of earth, a building, etc.) fall down or in, give way.
4 a intr. (of a horse or its rider) fall to the ground, fall from lameness, stick fast in mud etc. b tr. cause (a horse) to break down, esp. with founder.
--n.
1. inflammation of a horse's foot from overwork.
2 rheumatism of the chest-muscles in horses.
Etymology: ME f. OF fondrer, esfondrer submerge, collapse, ult. f. L fundus bottom