faunˈdeɪʃən n. 1 a
the solid ground or base,
natural or
artificial, on
which a
building rests. b (usu. in pl.) the lowest load-bearing
part of a building, usu.
below ground
level. 2 a
body or ground on which
other parts are
overlaid. 3 a
basis or
underlying principle;
groundwork (the
report has no foundation). 4 a the
act or an
instance of establishing or constituting (esp. an endowed institution) on a
permanent basis. b
such an
institution, e.g. a
monastery,
college, or
hospital. 5 (in full foundation garment) a woman's supporting
undergarment, e.g. a
corset. øfoundation
cream a cream used as a base
for applying cosmetics. foundation-stone 1 a
stone laid with ceremony to
celebrate the founding of a building. 2 the main ground or basis of
something. øøfoundational adj. [ME f. OF fondation f. L fundatio -onis (as FOUND(2))]