footing (
http://definr.com/footing)
n 1: status with respect to the relations between people or
groups: "on good terms with her in-laws"; "on a friendly
footing" [syn:
terms]
2: a relation that provides the foundation for something; "they
were on a friendly footing" or "he worked on an interim
basis" [syn:
basis,
ground]
3: a place providing support for the foot in standing or
climbing [syn:
foothold]