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