Part 258

As soon as he had obtained a footing at court, the charms of his manner . . . made him a favorite.

Macaulay.

3. Relative condition; state.

Lived on a footing of equality with nobles.

Macaulay.

4. Tread; step; especially, measured tread.

Hark, I hear the footing of a man.

Shak.

5. The act of adding up a column of figures; the amount or sum total of such a column.

6. The act of putting a foot to anything; also, that which is added as a foot; as, the footing of a stocking.

7. A narrow cotton lace, without figures.

8. The finer refuse part of whale blubber, not wholly deprived of oil. Simmonds.

9. (Arch. & Enging.) The thickened or sloping portion of a wall, or of an embankment at its foot.

Footing course (Arch.), one of the courses of masonry at the foot of a wall, broader than the courses above. -- To pay one's footing, to pay a fee on first doing anything, as working at a trade or in a shop. Wright. -- Footing beam, the tie beam of a roof.

Foot"less, a. Having no feet.

Foot"lick`er (?), n. A sycophant; a fawner; a toady. Cf. Bootlick. Shak.

Foot"light` (?), n. One of a row of lights in the front of the stage in a theater, etc., and on a level therewith.

Before the footlights, upon the stage; -- hence, in the capacity of an actor.

Foot"man (?), n.; pl. Footmen (&?;). 1. A soldier who marches and fights on foot; a foot soldier.

2. A man in waiting; a male servant whose duties are to attend the door, the carriage, the table, etc.

3. Formerly, a servant who ran in front of his master's carriage; a runner. Prior.

4. A metallic stand with four feet, for keeping anything warm before a fire.

5. (Zoˆl.) A moth of the family LithosidÊ; -- so called from its livery-like colors.

Foot"man*ship, n. Art or skill of a footman.

Foot"mark` (?), n. A footprint; a track or vestige. Coleridge.

Foot"note` (?), n. A note of reference or comment at the foot of a page.

Foot"pace` (?), n. 1. A walking pace or step.

2. A dais, or elevated platform; the highest step of the altar; a landing in a staircase. Shipley.