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footing

[ foo t-ing ]

/ ˈfʊt ɪŋ /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR footing ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the basis or foundation on which anything is established.

the act of one who moves on foot, as in walking or dancing.

a secure and established position.

a place or support for the feet; surface to stand on; foothold.

a firm placing of the feet; stability: He regained his footing.

Building Trades, Civil Engineering. the part of a foundation bearing directly upon the earth.

position or status assigned to a person, group, etc., in estimation or treatment.

mutual standing; reciprocal relation: to be on a friendly footing with someone.

entrance into a new position or relationship: to gain a footing in society.

a fee demanded from a person upon entrance into a trade, society, etc.

the act of adding a foot to something, as to a stocking.

that which is added as a foot.

the act of adding up a column of figures.

the total of such a column.

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?

Question 1 of 10

decorum

the act of or need for making up one's mind.

dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.

a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.

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Origin of footing

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at foot, -ing¹

Words nearby footing

footframe, footgear, foothill, foothold, footie, footing, footing piece, footle, footless, footlet, footlight

Definition for footing (2 of 2)

foot

[ foo t ]

/ fʊt /

noun, plural feet for 1–4, 8–11, 16, 19, 21; foots for 20.

(in vertebrates) the terminal part of the leg, below the ankle joint, on which the body stands and moves.

(in invertebrates) any part similar in position or function.

such a part considered as the organ of locomotion.

a unit of length, originally derived from the length of the human foot. It is divided into 12 inches and equal to 30.48 centimeters. Abbreviation: ft., f.

foot soldiers; infantry.

walking or running motion; pace: swift of foot.

quality or character of movement or motion; tread; step.

any part or thing resembling a foot, as in function, placement, shape, etc.

Furniture.

a shaped or ornamented feature terminating a leg at its lower part.
any of several short legs supporting a central shaft, as of a pedestal table.

a rim, flange, or flaring part, often distinctively treated, serving as a base for a table furnishing or utensil, as a glass, teapot, or candlestick.

the part of a stocking, sock, etc., covering the foot.

the lowest part, or bottom, of anything, as of a hill, ladder, page, etc.

a supporting part; base.

the part of anything opposite the top or head: He waited patiently at the foot of the checkout line.

the end of a bed, grave, etc., toward which the feet are placed: Put the blanket at the foot of the bed, please.

Printing. the part of the type body that forms the sides of the groove, at the base.

the last, as of a series.

that which is written at the bottom, as the total of an account.

Prosody. a group of syllables constituting a metrical unit of a verse.

Usually foots.

sediment or dregs.
footlight(def 1).

Nautical. the lower edge of a sail.

verb (used without object)

to walk; go on foot (often followed by it): We'll have to foot it.

to move the feet rhythmically, as to music or in dance (often followed by it).

(of vessels) to move forward; sail: to foot briskly across the open water.

verb (used with object)

to walk or dance on: footing the cobblestones of the old city.

to perform (a dance): cavaliers footing a galliard.

to traverse on or as if on foot.

to make or attach a foot to: to foot a stocking.

to pay or settle: I always end up footing the bill.

to add (a column of figures) and set the sum at the foot (often followed by up).

to seize with talons, as a hawk.

to establish.

Archaic. to kick, especially to kick away.

Obsolete. to set foot on.

Origin of foot

before 900; Middle English; Old English fōt; cognate with German Fuss; akin to Latin pēs (stem ped-), Greek poús (stem pod-)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for footing

President Obama pledged an estimated $175 million and sent more than 4,000 troops to help the region regain its footing.
Jail Threats for Sierra Leone Ebola Victims’ Families|Abby Haglage|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There are many others getting their footing, like Androgyny and Original Tomboy, all manly duds for anyone.
Look Who’s Wearing The Pants: Haute Butch’s Gender-Blending Style|Nina Strochlic|October 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It took me a long time to regain my footing, though I did find my way eventually.
How the Sultan of Brunei Violated His Sharia Law With Me|Jillian Lauren|May 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Rather, he said, advocacy groups are trying to find their footing after getting stymied for five years in their efforts.
Immigration Activists Blast Obama|David Freedlander|March 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The restaurant harvests its oysters from nearby marshland beds seeded with crushed shells to help the young ones get a footing.
A Briny, South Carolina Oyster Shack|Jane & Michael Stern|March 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It placed me at once on a footing of intimacy with the friends of my friends.
The Guerilla Chief|Mayne Reid
His footing differed essentially from that of Askold and Dir in their attempt at a like undertaking.
The Rise of the Russian Empire|Hector H. Munro
Should any interloping dog try to establish a right to share the feast he can only gain his footing after a victorious battle.
Child-Life in Japan and Japanese Child Stories|Mrs. M. Chaplin Ayrton
"Look out for your footing till we get to the horse," was his warning.
Laramie Holds the Range|Frank H. Spearman
Thar war plenty o' footing among the top branches whar the birds had made thar eyeray.
Our Young Folks--Vol. I, No. II, February 1865|Various

British Dictionary definitions for footing (1 of 3)

footing

/ (ˈfʊtɪŋ) /

noun

the basis or foundation on which something is establishedthe business was on a secure footing

the relationship or status existing between two persons, groups, etcthe two countries were on a friendly footing

a secure grip by or for the feet

the lower part of a foundation of a column, wall, building, etc

mainly US

the act of adding a column of figures
the total obtained

rare a fee paid upon entrance into a craft, society, etc, or such an entrance itself

British Dictionary definitions for footing (2 of 3)

Foot

/ (fʊt) /

noun

Michael (Mackintosh). 1913–2010, British Labour politician and journalist; secretary of state for employment (1974–76); leader of the House of Commons (1976–79); leader of the Labour Party (1980–83)

British Dictionary definitions for footing (3 of 3)

foot

/ (fʊt) /

noun plural feet (fiːt)

the part of the vertebrate leg below the ankle joint that is in contact with the ground during standing and walkingRelated adjective: pedal

the part of a garment that covers a foot

any of various organs of locomotion or attachment in invertebrates, including molluscs

botany the lower part of some plant structures, as of a developing moss sporophyte embedded in the parental tissue

a unit of length equal to one third of a yard or 12 inches. 1 Imperial foot is equivalent to 0.3048 metreAbbreviation: ft
any of various units of length used at different times and places, typically about 10 per cent greater than the Imperial foot

any part resembling a foot in form or functionthe foot of a chair

the lower part of something; base; bottomthe foot of the page; the foot of a hill

the end of a series or groupthe foot of the list

manner of walking or moving; tread; stepa heavy foot

infantry, esp in the British army
(as modifier)a foot soldier

any of various attachments on a sewing machine that hold the fabric in position, such as a presser foot for ordinary sewing and a zipper foot

music

a unit used in classifying organ pipes according to their pitch, in terms of the length of an equivalent column of air
this unit applied to stops and registers on other instruments

printing

the margin at the bottom of a page
the undersurface of a piece of type

prosody a group of two or more syllables in which one syllable has the major stress, forming the basic unit of poetic rhythm

a foot in the door an action, appointment, etc, that provides an initial step towards a desired goal, esp one that is not easily attainable

kick with the wrong foot Scot and Irish to be of the opposite religion to that which is regarded as acceptable or to that of the person who is speaking

my foot! an expression of disbelief, often of the speaker's own preceding statementhe didn't know, my foot! Of course he did!

of foot archaic in manner of movementfleet of foot

on foot

walking or running
in progress; astir; afoot

one foot in the grave informal near to death

on the right foot informal in an auspicious manner

on the wrong foot informal in an inauspicious manner

put a foot wrong to make a mistake

put one's best foot forward

to try to do one's best
to hurry

put one's foot down informal

to act firmly
to increase speed (in a motor vehicle) by pressing down on the accelerator

put one's foot in it informal to blunder

set on foot to initiate or start (something)

tread under foot to oppress

under foot on the ground; beneath one's feet

verb

to dance to music (esp in the phrase foot it)

(tr) to walk over or set foot on; traverse (esp in the phrase foot it)

(tr) to pay the entire cost of (esp in the phrase foot the bill)

(usually foll by up) archaic, or dialect to add up

Derived forms of foot

footless, adjective

Word Origin for foot

Old English fōt; related to Old Norse fōtr, Gothic fōtus, Old High German fuoz, Latin pēs, Greek pous, Sanskrit pad

usage for foot

In front of another noun, the plural for the unit of length is foot: a 20-foot putt; his 70-foot ketch. Foot can also be used instead of feet when mentioning a quantity and in front of words like tall: four foot of snow; he is at least six foot tall

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for footing

foot

[ fut ]

n. pl. feet (fēt)

The lower extremity of the vertebrate leg that is in direct contact with the ground in standing or walking.

A unit of length in the US Customary and British Imperial systems equal to 12 inches (30.48 centimeters).

Scientific definitions for footing

foot

[ fut ]

Plural feet (fēt)

A unit of length in the US Customary System equal to 13 of a yard or 12 inches (30.48 centimeters). See Table at measurement.

Idioms and Phrases with footing

foot

In addition to the idioms beginning with foot

foot in both camps, have a
foot in one's mouth, put one's
foot in the door, get one's
foot the bill

also see:

bound hand and foot
caught flat-footed
get off on the wrong foot
not touch with a ten-foot pole
one foot in the grave
on foot
on the right foot
play footsie
put one's best foot forward
put one's foot down
put one's foot in it
set foot
shoe is on the other foot
shoot oneself in the foot
wait on hand and foot

Also see underfeet.

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footing

noun

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

Origin of footing

Words nearby footing

Definition for footing (2 of 2)