footings

Noun

footing (countable and uncountable, plural footings)

1. A ground for the foot; place for the foot to rest on; firm foundation to stand on.
   • In ascents, every step gained is a footing and help to the next.1669, William Holder, Elements of Speech: An Essay of Inquiry into the Natural Production of Letters: […], London: […] T. N[ewcomb] for J[ohn] Martyn printer to the R[oyal] Society, […], →OCLC
2. A standing; position; established place; foothold.
   • As soon, however, as he had obtained a footing at court, the charms of his manner […] made him a favorite.1849, Thomas Babington Macaulay, The History of England from the Accession of James II, volume II, London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, →OCLC
3. A relative condition; state.
   • [L]ived on a footing of equality with nobles.1856 December, [Thomas Babington] Macaulay, “Samuel Johnson”, in T[homas] F[lower] E[llis], editor, The Miscellaneous Writings and Speeches of Lord Macaulay, new edition, London: Longman, Green...
4. (dated) A tread; step; especially, a measured tread.
   • Hark, I hear the footing of a man.c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward]...
5. (rare) A footprint or footprints; tracks, someone's trail.
   • The Monster swift as word, that from her went,
     Went forth in hast, and did her footing trace[…].1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book III, Canto VII”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC
6. Stability or balance when standing on one's feet.
   • He lost his footing and fell down.

See all 14 meanings of footing