foundation English · revision 3101

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1385|origins=la fundō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /faʊnˈdeɪ.ʃᵊn/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|foundacioun]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) [[bor|fro|fondacion]],^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) or directly from [[la-lat|fundātiō|t=a founding]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from [[m|la|fundāre|t=to lay a bottom or foundation]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) the source of the verb [[found]], from [[m|la|fundus|t=bottom]].^(Etymonline) The Latin word is glossed in Old English by staþol.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The action of founding or building on a firm base: about 1385 in the OED^(OED 1989) and the late 14th century in Etymonline.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The founding of an institution with an endowment to support it is from 1389,^(OED 1989) the late 14th century in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) The funds endowed for charitable purposes are from the early 15th century,^(Etymonline) and that which is founded, such as a college or hospital, from the 1510s.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The solid base on which a building stands is from the early 15th century in Etymonline^(Etymonline) and 1494 in the OED,^(OED 1989) and figuratively the basis of anything followed.^(AHD) The cosmetic sense, a coloured cream applied as a base for make-up, is by 1910, probably short for ''foundation make-up''.^(Etymonline) ''Foundation stone'' and ''foundation course'' are later compounds.^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1385 – the action of founding.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1389 – an endowed institution's founding.^(OED 1989)

+ * early 15th century – an endowment.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1494 – the base of a building.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1510s – an endowed institution.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1910 – a cosmetic base.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The solid base on which a building rests, usually below ground.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # The basis or [[principle]] on which something stands: ''the foundations of democracy''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # The act of founding an institution.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # An organization set up with an [[endowment]] to support a charitable or other cause.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A cream or powder applied to the face as a base for [[makeup]].^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[foundational]]

+ * [[foundationally]]

+ * [[foundationless]]

+ * [[foundationary]]

+ * [[foundation garment]]

+ * [[foundation stone]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[found]]

+ * [[fund]]

+ * [[fundamental]]

+ * [[founder]]

+ * [[bottom]]

+ * [[profound]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}