underpinnings

But a reader will never learn about the underpinnings of these friendships.

The gate of the nameless mausoleum had not been opened for many years, and the wind had heaped the dirt against the underpinnings.

Hewn-stone underpinnings were seldom adopted in those days; the brick-work rests directly upon the solid walls of the cellar.

Either I should have slowed down or waited until they could put in some re-enforced-concrete underpinnings.

Between this oddly opposed pair stands on her solid, sensible underpinnings the figure of Candida.

That ship you talked of is awfully plated up topside, but all her underpinnings are pretty weak.