Word of the Day - 10/13/25
founder
/'faʊndər/(v.): fail utterly; collapse
The ambitious startup unfortunately foundered after only six months due to a lack of funding.
(v.): sink below the surface
The small fishing boat foundered in the raging storm, its last distress signal lost to the winds.
(n.): inflammation of the laminated tissue that attaches the hoof to the foot of a horse
After eating too much grain, the horse developed founder, causing it excruciating pain in its front hooves.
Word Origin
The word 'founder' has two primary meanings, both originating from the Latin word 'fundus' meaning 'bottom' or 'foundation'. 1. As a noun meaning 'one who establishes or initiates': This sense comes from the Old French 'fonder' ('to establish'), which itself is derived from the Latin 'fundare' ('to lay a foundation, establish') which, in turn, is built on 'fundus'. So, 'founder' in this context relates to laying a foundation. 2. As a verb meaning 'to sink, collapse, or fail': This sense originates from the Old French 'fondrer' ('to fall to the bottom, sink, collapse'), which also directly comes from 'fond' ('bottom'), and likewise from the Latin 'fundus'. The idea here is to 'go to the bottom' or 'collapse to the base'. This meaning applies to a ship sinking, or a horse becoming lame (foundering), as if its feet are giving way beneath it. This also breaks down from 'fundus' (bottom) plus verbal suffixes.
Words with similar origins sharing the Latin root 'fundus' include: 'foundation' (from Latin 'fundationem', via 'fundare'), 'fund' (from Latin 'fundus' via French 'fond' meaning 'bottom, stock of resources'), and 'fundamental' (from Latin 'fundamentum', via 'fundare'). Also, 'profound' (from Latin 'profundus', literally 'before the bottom', meaning deep).
Founder and Flounder are nearly homographic and nearly synonymous, but they have a subtle distinction. "Flounder" means to struggle awkwardly without progress, like a person "floundering" through an assignment. Meanwhile, "founder" means to sink or fail completely, as in a ship that "founders" on the rocks or a project that "founders". The key difference is that floundering suggests a chance of recovery, whereas foundering implies an utter collapse or sinking to the bottom.