Word Study
stereobate
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]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
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)
For further exploring for "stereobate" in Webster Dictionary Online