stereobate

Noun

ster=e=o=bate

CIDE DICTIONARY

stereobate, n. [Gr. stereo`s solid + that treads or covers, akin to base; cf. F. stéréobate.].

The lower part or basement of a building or pedestal; -- used loosely for several different forms of basement. [1913 Webster]

stereobate, n. Archit. a solid mass of masonry as a foundation for a building.

Etymology

F st{eacute}r{eacute}obate f. L stereobata f. Gk stereobates (as STEREO-, baino walk)