1. (n.) The foundation of anything; that on which a thing rests.

2. (n.) The pedestal of a column, pillar, or statue.

3. (n.) The ground work the first or fundamental principle; that which supports.

4. (n.) The principal component part of a thing.

Anschauung a priori principle affirmation ambition angle angle of vision antecedents apriorism aspiration assertion assumed position assumption axiom base basement bearing wall bed bedding bedrock bottom burden call calling case categorical proposition causation cause cause and effect chapter concern consideration data determinant determinative element essence etiology eye factor first principles floor flooring focus of attention focus of interest fond footing foundation frame of reference framework fundament fundamental gist goal good reason ground grounds groundwork guiding light guiding star hardpan head heading heart hypothesis hypothesis ad hoc ideal infrastructure inspiration intention issue justification law lemma light line of departure living issue lodestar main point mainspring major premise material basis matter matter in hand meat mental outlook minor premise motif motive occasion outlook pavement philosopheme philosophical proposition place point point at issue point in question point of departure point of view port of embarkation position postulate postulation postulatum premise presumption presupposition principle problem proposition propositional function question radical reason reference system regard respect rest right riprap rock bottom root rubric rudiment sake score seat side sight sill situation slant solid ground solid rock source spring stand standpoint start starting gate starting place starting point starting post statement stereobate stimulus stylobate subject subject matter subject of thought substance substratum substruction substructure sumption supposal system takeoff terra firma text theme theorem thesis topic truth table truth-function truth-value ulterior motive underbuilding undercarriage undergirding underpinning understruction understructure universe view viewpoint vocation warrant