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.
 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.

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