FOUNDATION

(Fr. fond at i on.) In Architecture, the lower part of a wall, on which the insistent wall is raised, and always of much greater thickne than such insistent wall. A practice has lately been introduced in this country of lavmg foundations (if not in water) on a bed of what is called concrete, which is a mixture of rough small stones or large gravel stones with sand and stone, lime and water, with just enough of the lime to act as a cementitious medium, with the best effect. See Concrete. „ FOUNDATIONS. i'L?A..i\xx\Ao, I institute.) In Political Economy, the generic name given to institutions established and endowed by mdividuals, a ociations, or [s. 483]