ˈfəndəmənt noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, foundation, alteration (influenced by Latin fundamentum ) of foundement, fundement, from Old French fondement, from Latin fundamentum, from fundare to found (from fundus bottom) + -mentum -ment
1.
a. obsolete : the base on which a structure (as a building or wall) is erected
b. : an underlying ground or theory : basic principle
relations between countries based on the fundaments of mutual respect and neighborliness
: foundation
archaeology and history are giving us a firm fundament of facts — W.W.Hill
2.
a. : the part of the body on which one sits : buttocks
b. : anus
3. biology : anlage
4. : the part of a land surface that has not been altered by human activities