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lay a foundation. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
lay a foundation, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
lay a foundation in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
lay a foundation you have here. The definition of the word
lay a foundation will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
lay a foundation, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
Figurative senses from the idea of laying a foundation as the first step in constructing a building.
Verb
lay a foundation (third-person singular simple present lays a foundation, present participle laying a foundation, simple past and past participle laid a foundation)
- Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see lay, foundation.
- (law) To elicit information from a witness to show that the witness has knowledge of a matter before the witness testifies to the matter itself.
In order to lay a foundation for the witness to describe the murder, the prosecutor first had to show that the witness was present when the murder occurred.
- (figurative) To make a start.
You should lay a foundation, even if you can't finish the project.