English noun: groundwork | |||
1. | groundwork (cognition) the fundamental assumptions from which something is begun or developed or calculated or explained | ||
Samples | The whole argument rested on a basis of conjecture. | ||
Synonyms | base, basis, cornerstone, foundation, fundament | ||
Broader (hypernym) | assumption, supposal, supposition | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | meat and potatoes | ||
Part meronym | explanation | ||
2. | groundwork (artifact) lowest support of a structure | ||
Samples | It was built on a base of solid rock. He stood at the foot of the tower. | ||
Synonyms | base, foot, foundation, fundament, substructure, understructure | ||
Broader (hypernym) | support | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | bed, raft foundation | ||
Part meronym | construction, structure | ||
3. | groundwork (act) preliminary preparation as a basis or foundation | ||
Samples | We are prepared today because of groundwork that was done ten years ago. | ||
Broader (hypernym) | preparation, readying | ||