First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1founder
noun found·er \ˈfau̇n-dər\
2founder
verb foun·der \ˈfau̇n-dər\
: to experience failure : to be unsuccessful
of a boat or ship : to fill with water and sink
foun·deredfoun·der·ing \-d(ə-)riŋ\
Full Definition of FOUNDER
intransitive verb
1
: to become disabled; especially : to go lame
2
: to give way : collapse
3
: to become submerged : sink
4
: to come to grief : fail
transitive verb
: to disable (an animal) especially by excessive feeding
See founder defined for English-language learners
Origin of FOUNDER
Middle English foundren to fall to the ground, sink, from Anglo-French fondrer, alteration of fondre, from Latin fundere to pour, cast, disperse, lay low, slay — more at found
First Known Use: 14th century
3founder
noun foun·der
Definition of FOUNDER
First Known Use of FOUNDER
circa 1547
4founder
noun found·er
Definition of FOUNDER
: one that founds metal; especially : typefounder
Origin of FOUNDER
5found
First Known Use: 15th century
FOUNDER Defined for Kids
1founder
noun found·er \ˈfau̇n-dər\
Definition of FOUNDER for Kids
: a person who creates or establishes something <the country's founders>
2founder
verb foun·der \ˈfau̇n-dər\
found·eredfound·er·ing
Definition of FOUNDER for Kids
: 1sink 1 <a foundering ship>
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