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foundational

 - 5 dictionary results

foun⋅da⋅tion

  [foun-dey-shuhn]
Use foundational in a Sentence
–noun
1. the basis or groundwork of anything: the moral foundation of both society and religion.
2. the natural or prepared ground or base on which some structure rests.
3. the lowest division of a building, wall, or the like, usually of masonry and partly or wholly below the surface of the ground.
4. the act of founding, setting up, establishing, etc.: a policy in effect since the foundation.
5. the state of being founded.
6. an institution financed by a donation or legacy to aid research, education, the arts, etc.: the Ford Foundation.
7. an endowment for such an institution.
8. a cosmetic, as a cream or liquid, used as a base for facial makeup.
9. foundation garment.
10. Solitaire. a card of given denomination on which other cards are to be added according to denomination or suit.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME foundacioun < L fundātiōn- (s. of fundātiō), equiv. to fundāt(us) (ptp. of fundāre; see found 2 ) + -iōn- -ion

Related forms:
foun⋅da⋅tion⋅al, adjective
foun⋅da⋅tion⋅al⋅ly, adverb
foun⋅da⋅tion⋅ar⋅y, adjective

Synonyms:
2. See base 1 . 2, 3. footing. 4, 5. establishment, settlement.

Antonyms:
2, 3. superstructure.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To foundational
foun·da·tion   (foun-dā'shən)   
n.  

  1. The act of founding, especially the establishment of an institution with provisions for future maintenance.

  2. The basis on which a thing stands, is founded, or is supported. See Synonyms at base1.

    1. Funds for the perpetual support of an institution; an endowment.

    2. An institution founded and supported by an endowment.

  4. A foundation garment.

  5. A cosmetic base.


[Middle English fundacioun, from Latin fundātiō, fundātiōn-, from fundātus, past participle of fundāre, to lay the groundwork for; see found1.]
foun·da'tion·al adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

foundation 
c.1385, "action of founding," from L. fundationem (nom. fundatio) "a founding," from fundatus, pp. of fundare (see found (1)). The L. word is glossed in O.E. by staþol. Meaning "that which is founded" (a college, hospital, etc.) is from 1513; meaning "funds endowed" is c.1430. Sense of "solid base of a structure" is from 1494.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: foun·da·tion
Function: noun
1 : a basis upon which something stands or is supported; specifically : a witness's preliminary testimony given to identify or explain evidence being offered at trial and establish its connection to the issue for which it is offered foundation for the orthopedic surgeon's familiarity with the…standard of care rendered the surgeon's opinion testimony inadmissible —National Law Journal>
NOTE: Before evidence can be admitted at trial, the foundation for it must be laid by the party offering it. A foundation must also be laid for the qualification of a witness as an expert, or for the assertion of a privilege.
2 a : funds given for the permanent support of an institution : ENDOWMENT b : an organization or institution established by endowment with provision for future maintenance —foun·da·tion·al adjective
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

foundation foun·da·tion (foun-dā'shən)
n.
The basis on which something stands or is supported; a base.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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