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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.

One who derives support from the funds or foundation of a college or school. [Eng.]

Having no foundation.

Erected in the air; having no solid foundation; chimerical; as, an air-built castle.

Without reality; having no solid foundation; empty; trifling; visionary. "Airy fame." Shak. Empty sound, and airy notions. Roscommon.

Space extended upward; height; the perpendicular elevation of an object above its foundation, above the ground, or above a given level, or of one object above another; as, the altitude of a mountain, or of a bird above the top of a tree.

ies. -- Apostolic church, the Christian church; -- so called on account of its apostolic foundation, doctrine, and order. The churches of Rome, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem were called apostolic churches. -- Apostolic constitutions, directions of a nature similar to the apostolic canons, and perhaps compiled by…

a pattern (which has been cut out of another color or stuff) applied or transferred to a foundation; as, appliqué lace; appliqué work.

To fix with power or firmness; to establish; to mark out. When he appointed the foundations of the earth. Prov. viii. 29.

rs spent in the arts (as they are called in colleges) is, perhaps, laying too laborious a foundation. Goldsmith.

er, as in confidence of asserting the truth. It is sufficient that the very fact hath its foundation in truth, as I do seriously aver is the case. Fielding. Then all averred I had killed the bird. Coleridge.

of anything, considered as its support, or that on which something rests for support; the foundation; as, the base of a statue. "The base of mighty mountains." Prescott.

Without a base; having no foundation or support. "The baseless fabric of this vision." Shak.

The foundation of anything; that on which a thing rests. Dryden.

The foundation or the more solid and fixed part or framing of a machine; or a part on which something is laid or supported; as, the bed of an engine.

The foundation framing or piece, by which the other parts are supported and held in place; the bed; -- called also baseplate and soleplate.

To trace or lay the foundation of; to make or place a beginning of. The apostle begins our knowledge in the creatures, which leads us to the knowledge of God. Locke.

That upon which anything rests or is founded, in a literal or a figurative sense; foundation; groundwork.

t, a kind of lace, etc. Brussels carpet, a kind of carpet made of worsted yarn fixed in a foundation web of strong linen thread. The worsted, which alone shows on the upper surface in drawn up in loops to form the pattern. -- Brussels ground, a name given to the handmade ground of real Brussels lace. It is very costly…

To raise or place on a foundation; to form, establish, or produce by using appropriate means. Who builds his hopes in air of your good looks. Shak.