bottoming noun7 •The act of something that bottoms; the point at which something bottoms (in various senses).In the course of this investigation, it was learned that the mean number of bottomings per second could be calculated theoretically […] — 1961 •A foundation (literal and figurative senses).These and the like are the maine truths in your esteeme, which I conceive have no bottoming in the holy Scripture. — 1642 •Material used to line the bottom of something.[…] we were overtaken by a storm, and camped ten miles short of the ranch; we could afford to do this, as his wagon had a good tilt and a bottoming of straw. — 1885 •Residue left at the bottom of something.[His porridge] was, as usual, composed of the scraps and bottomings of bowls which had been left unfinished by the rest of the household. — 1899 •(UK, informal) The act of thoroughly cleaning something.Mag gave [the office] a “bottoming” once a week with carbolic soap and disinfectant […] — 1970 •A substance used to prepare a material for dyeing.Sumach is generally used as a bottoming when the metallic base or mordant is iron or tin, and for dyeing deep colours, such as blacks, reds, &c. — 1875 •The contouring of the wooden seat of a chair.A critical feature seems to be the subtle contouring of the seat known as its ‘bottoming’. This was hand carved […] — 1986 formsbottomings
