bottomsupported

Bottomsupported is an informal term used to describe something that is designed to be supported by its bottom surface or base. It emphasizes stability achieved through a broad contact area with a ground or mounting plane. In engineering and product design, bottom-supported configurations are favored when a low center of gravity, even weight distribution, and resistance to tipping are priorities. Examples include appliances with a flat base, baseplates for machinery, and furniture such as tables or cabinets that rest on a solid floor.

In manufacturing and assembly, bottom-supported parts may include features like feet, foot pads, or gussets that increase contact with the mounting surface. The term also appears in discussions of 3D printing or additive manufacturing, where objects are oriented to maximize bottom-layer adhesion or where a brim or raft provides a bottom-supported foundation to prevent warping.

In mathematics or computer science, bottom-supported is rarely used as a formal term; when encountered, it is usually metaphorical or descriptive, indicating that a component relies on a base-level support from which other parts derive stability.

Etymology: formed from the common words bottom and supported, the compound is used informally across domains. As a nonstandard term, its precise meaning depends on context and there is no single canonical definition.

See also: base, foundation, footprint, baseplate, support, stability.