n. | 1. | The act of founding, fixing, establishing, or beginning to erect. |
| 2. | That upon which anything is founded; that on which anything stands, and by which it is supported; the lowest and supporting layer of a superstructure; groundwork; basis. |
| 3. | (Arch.) The lowest and supporting part or member of a wall, including the base course (see Base course (a), under Base, n.) and footing courses; in a frame house, the whole substructure of masonry. |
| 4. | A donation or legacy appropriated to support a charitable institution, and constituting a permanent fund; endowment. |
| 5. | That which is founded, or established by endowment; an endowed institution or charity; as, the Ford Foundation. |
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