footing

In ascents, every step gained is a footing and help to the next.

As soon, however, as he had obtained a footing at court, the charms of his manner […] made him a favorite.

[L]ived on a footing of equality with nobles.

Hark, I hear the footing of a man.

The Monster swift as word, that from her went,

Went forth in hast, and did her footing trace[…].

Terry lost his footing to allow Van Persie to race clear for Arsenal's fourth after 85 minutes before the Netherlands striker completed a second treble against Chelsea by hammering his third past Petr Cech deep into stoppage time.

The auditing of the accounts, when the defendant was present, was nothing more than the examinings of the footings of the bookkeeper.

the footing of a stocking