Footing

Footing Foot"ing, n. 1. Ground for the foot; place for the foot to rest on; firm foundation to stand on. [1913 Webster]

In ascent, every step gained is a footing and help to the next. --Holder. [1913 Webster]

2. Standing; position; established place; basis for operation; permanent settlement; foothold. [1913 Webster]

As soon as he had obtained a footing at court, the charms of his manner . . . made him a favorite. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

3. Relative condition; state. [1913 Webster]

Lived on a footing of equality with nobles. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

4. Tread; step; especially, measured tread. [1913 Webster]

Hark, I hear the footing of a man. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

5. The act of adding up a column of figures; the amount or sum total of such a column. [1913 Webster]

6. The act of putting a foot to anything; also, that which is added as a foot; as, the footing of a stocking. [1913 Webster]

7. A narrow cotton lace, without figures. [1913 Webster]

8. The finer refuse part of whale blubber, not wholly deprived of oil. --Simmonds. [1913 Webster]

9. (Arch. & Enging.) The thickened or sloping portion of a wall, or of an embankment at its foot. [1913 Webster]

{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. [1913 Webster]