groundwork (noun)
1: the fundamental assumptions from which something is begun or developed or calculated or explained; "the whole argument rested on a basis of conjecture" [syn: basis, base, foundation, fundament, cornerstone]
2: lowest support of a structure; "it was built on a base of solid rock"; "he stood at the foot of the tower" [syn: foundation, base, fundament, foot, substructure, understructure]
3: preliminary preparation as a basis or foundation; "we are prepared today because of groundwork that was done ten years ago"