foundation

noun

1. 1

   The act of founding, fixing, establishing, or beginning to erect.

   “The foundation of his institute has been wrought with difficulty.”

2. 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; underbuilding.

3. 3

   The result of the work to begin something; that which stabilizes and allows an enterprise or system to develop.

4. 4

   In solitaire or patience games, one of the piles of cards that the player attempts to build, usually holding all cards of a suit in ascending order.

5. 5

   The lowest and supporting part or member of a wall, including the base course and footing courses; in a frame house, the whole substructure of masonry.

   “The foundations of this construction have been laid out.”

6. 6

   A donation or legacy appropriated to support a charitable institution, and constituting a permanent fund; endowment.

7. 7

   That which is founded, or established by endowment; an endowed institution or charity.

   “The Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. is the parent organization of the Wiktionary collaborative project.”

8. 8

   Cosmetic cream roughly skin-colored, designed to make the face appear uniform in color and texture.

9. 9

   A basis for social bodies or intellectual disciplines.