Part 317

I had else been perfect, Whole as the marble, founded as the rock.

Shak.

A man that all his time Hath founded his good fortunes on your love.

Shak.

It fell not, for it was founded on a rock.

Matt. vii. 25.

2. To take the ffirst steps or measures in erecting or building up; to furnish the materials for beginning; to begin to raise; to originate; as, to found a college; to found a family.

There they shall found Their government, and their great senate choose.

Milton.

Syn. -- To base; ground; institute; establish; fix. See Predicate.

Foun*da"tion (?), n. [F. fondation, L. fundatio. See Found to establish.] 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.

Behold, I lay in Zion, for a foundation, a stone . . . a precious corner stone, a sure foundation.

Is. xxviii. 16.

The foundation of a free common wealth.

Motley.

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.

He was entered on the foundation of Westminster.

Macaulay.

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

Against the canon laws of our foundation.

Milton.

Foundation course. See Base course, under Base, n. -- Foundation muslin, an open-worked gummed fabric used for stiffening dresses, bonnets, etc. -- Foundation school, in England, an endowed school. -- To be on a foundation, to be entitled to a support from the proceeds of an endowment, as a scholar or a fellow of a college.

Foun*da"tion*er (?), n. One who derives support from the funds or foundation of a college or school. [Eng.]

Foun*da"tion*less, a. Having no foundation.

Found"er (?), n. [Cf. OF. fondeor, F. fondateur, L. fundator.] One who founds, establishes, and erects; one who lays a foundation; an author; one from whom anything originates; one who endows.

Found"er, n. [From Found to cast.] One who founds; one who casts metals in various forms; a caster; as, a founder of cannon, bells, hardware, or types.