Etymologically
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fundatio

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 15:35. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [fʊnˈdaː.ti.oː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [funˈdat.t͡si.o][1]

Forms

fundātiō f (genitive fundātiōnis); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is from fundō “to found, establish”, from fundus “bottom”, with the suffix -tiō.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Vitruvius, whom he dates c. 84–c. 25 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant a foundation, a substructure.[2][5]

British Medieval Latin used it for the action of building, as of a royal fortress.[5] It was borrowed into Italian fondazione and French fondation, and Late Latin fundātiō gave English foundation in the late 14th century, “action of founding”.[1][3]

Timeline

  • c. 84–c. 25 BC – Vitruvius uses it.[4]
  • late 14th century – English foundation is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. A foundation.[2]
  2. (Medieval Latin) Building, construction.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ a b c Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press