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# foundation

noun (a foundation, foundations; foundation — uncountable)

«foundation» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. The strong base under a building, usually under the ground, that holds it up. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/foundation/#m1)
2. The basic idea or part on which something else is built: Reading is the foundation of learning. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/foundation/#m2)
3. An organisation that gives money for good causes: a charity foundation. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/foundation/#m3)
4. The starting or setting up of something: the foundation of the school. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/foundation/#m4)
5. A skin-coloured make-up cream. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/foundation/#m5)

### In the lessons

In science and building a foundation spreads the weight of a house; in school basic skills are the foundations of later learning; «Foundation» is also the name of the first year of school in some places (Australia, UK). Phrases: «lay the foundations», «the foundation stone», «without foundation» (not true), «a solid foundation».

### Examples

- The builders dug deep foundations for the house. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/foundation/#x1)
- Counting is the foundation of maths. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/foundation/#x2)
- The foundation gave money to the hospital. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/foundation/#x3)
- The rumour is without foundation. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/foundation/#x4)
- My little sister is in Foundation this year. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/foundation/#x5)
- The mayor laid the foundation stone. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/foundation/#x6)
- "I confess, Prince," said the vizir, "that there is some foundation for what you say. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/foundation/#x7)

### Note

Usually plural for buildings: «the foundations». Verb: found (found, founds, founded) = set up — not the past of «find». «Without foundation» means not true.

## In Jewish tradition

It is the base of the earth or of the mountains. In Sefer Yetzirah it is the base on which all creation stands.

**Interpretation.** Sefer Yetzirah calls the twenty-two letters the "letters of foundation," the base of all creation. Deuteronomy's "foundations of the mountains" shows how deep God's anger could reach.

### Examples

- For a fire is kindled in My nostril, and burneth unto the depths of the nether-world, and devoureth the earth with her produce, and setteth ablaze the foundations of the mountains. (Torah DEU.32.22, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/foundation/#x1)
- The twenty-two sounds and letters are the Foundation of all things. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/foundation/#x2)
- Together these represent the mathematical-linguistic foundations of Creation; see notes on 1:2 below. (Sefer Yetzirah, Sefaria community translation) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/foundation/#x3)
- Whereupon were the foundations thereof fastened? (Writings JOB.38.6, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/foundation/#x4)
- His foundation is in the holy mountains. (Writings PSA.87.1, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/foundation/#x5)
- Have ye not understood the foundations of the earth? (Prophets ISA.40.21, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/foundation/#x6)

### Note

Usually plural for buildings: «the foundations». Verb: found (found, founds, founded) = set up — not the past of «find». «Without foundation» means not true.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «foundation» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/foundation/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«foundation» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/foundation.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «foundation» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/foundation/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«foundation» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/foundation.html) on Mova free.