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