A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1456-1581
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Foundement, Foundment, n. [ME. founde-, fowndement (c 1374), fondement (a 1300), OF. fondement. Cf. Fundement.]
A foundation. Chiefly in fig. sense.(a) 1456 Hay I. 80/24.
How force is ane of the principale foundementis of bataill 1456 Ib. 254/31.
This argument hes na foundement a1500 Buke of the Sevyne Sagis 1799.
All that nycht thai wrocht … Quhill thai the foundement fand & brak 1531 Bell. Boece II. 6.
Thay … maid the first foundement of the nobil realme of France(b) 1500 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 82.
For [= since] the several encresments of vertue, pratick and knawledge standis in gude begyning and foundment 1531 Bell. Boece II. 105.
I think it expedient … to preche first the foundment of the Christin faith 1533 Id. Livy I. 88/17.
He began to compes the foundment of ane tempill 1567 Acts III. 33/2.
That na foundment thairof be occasioun to big thairupon in tyme cuming 1581 Hamilton Cath. Tr. 54.
Thay vsit the same as a sure and firme foundment to subuert the hereseis
2. The fundament. c1515 Asloan MS II. 210/25.
Thai put ane horne in his foundement
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"Foundement n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/foundement>
