Foot″ing, n. 1. Ground for the foot; place for the foot to rest on; firm foundation to stand on.
In ascent, every step gained is a footing and help to the next. Holder.
2. Standing; position; established place; basis for operation; permanent settlement; foothold.
As soon as he had obtained a footing at court, the charms of his manner... made him a favorite. Macaulay.
3. Relative condition; state.
Lived on a footing of equality with nobles. Macaulay.
4. Tread; step; especially, measured tread.
Hark, I hear the footing of a man. Shak.
5. The act of adding up a column of figures; the amount or sum total of such a column.
6. The act of putting a foot to anything; also, that which is added as a foot; as, the footing of a stocking.
7. A narrow cotton lace, without figures.
8. The finer refuse part of whale blubber, not wholly deprived of oil. Simmonds.
9. (Arch. & Enging.) The thickened or sloping portion of a wall, or of an embankment at its foot.
Footing course(Arch.), one of the courses of masonry at the foot of a wall, broader than the courses above. — To pay one's footing, to pay a fee on first doing anything, as working at a trade or in a shop. Wright. — Footing beam, the tie beam of a roof.