Search Result for "foothold": 
Wordnet 3.0

NOUN (3)

1. an area in hostile territory that has been captured and is held awaiting further troops and supplies;
- Example: "an attempt to secure a bridgehead behind enemy lines"
- Example: "the only foothold left for British troops in Europe was Gibraltar"
[syn: bridgehead, foothold]

2. a place providing support for the foot in standing or climbing;
[syn: foothold, footing]

3. an initial accomplishment that opens the way for further developments;
- Example: "the town became a beachhead in the campaign to ban smoking outdoors"
- Example: "they are presently attempting to gain a foothold in the Russian market"
[syn: beachhead, foothold]



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Foothold \Foot"hold`\, n.
   A holding with the feet; firm standing; that on which one may
   tread or rest securely; footing. --L'Estrange.
   [1913 Webster]


WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

foothold
    n 1: 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" [syn:
         bridgehead, foothold]
    2: a place providing support for the foot in standing or
       climbing [syn: foothold, footing]
    3: 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" [syn: beachhead,
       foothold]