Word Study
foothold
WORDNET DICTIONARY
Noun foothold has 3 senses
- foothold(n = noun.location) bridgehead - an area in hostile territory that has been captured and is held awaiting further troops and supplies; "an attempt to secure a bridgehead behind enemy lines"; "the only foothold left for British troops in Europe was Gibraltar" is a kind of combat area, combat zone
- foothold(n = noun.artifact) footing - a place providing support for the foot in standing or climbing; Array is a kind of support
- foothold(n = noun.act) beachhead - an initial accomplishment that opens the way for further developments; "the town became a beachhead in the campaign to ban smoking outdoors"; "they are presently attempting to gain a foothold in the Russian market" is a kind of accomplishment, achievement
has particulars: airhead, beachhead
has particulars: toehold
CIDE DICTIONARY
foothold, n.
A holding with the feet; firm standing; that on which one may tread or rest securely; footing. L'Estrange. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
foothold, n.
1 a place, esp. in climbing, where a foot can be supported securely.
2 a secure initial position or advantage.
1 a place, esp. in climbing, where a foot can be supported securely.
2 a secure initial position or advantage.
THESAURUS
foothold
advantage, bear hug, bite, clamp, clasp, clench, clinch, cling, clinging, clutch, death grip, embrace, firm hold, footing, footplate, footrail, footrest, grapple, grasp, grip, gripe, hold, hug, iron grip, locus standi, nip, perch, purchase, seizure, stance, stand, standing, standing place, tight grip, toehold, traction
For further exploring for "foothold" in Webster Dictionary Online
