fountain

¹foun·tain

noun \ˈfau̇n-t^ən\

Definition of FOUNTAIN

1

: the source from which something proceeds or is supplied

2

: a spring of water issuing from the earth

3

: an artificially produced jet of water; also : the structure from which it rises

4

: a reservoir containing a liquid that can be drawn off as needed

5

: soda fountain 2

Examples of FOUNTAIN

1. The crowd gathered around the fountain in the plaza.
2. an endless fountain of inspiration

Origin of FOUNTAIN

Middle English, from Anglo-French funtaine, fontaine, from Late Latin fontana, from Latin, feminine of fontanus of a spring, from font-, fons

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to FOUNTAIN

Synonyms

cradle, font, source, fountainhead, origin, root, seedbed, spring, well, wellspring

Related Words

beginning, commencement, dawn, day one, genesis, get-go (also git-go), inception, incipience, incipiency, kickoff, launch, morning, nascence, nascency, onset, outset, start, threshold; baseline, first base, ground zero, square one

Rhymes with FOUNTAIN

mountain

²fountain

verb

Definition of FOUNTAIN

intransitive verb

: to flow or spout like a fountain

transitive verb

: to cause to flow like a fountain

First Known Use of FOUNTAIN

1903

fountain

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Artificially produced jet of water, and the structure from which it rises. Fountains have been an important feature of landscape design since ancient times. Displaced for a time by the medieval well, the fountain reemerged in the late Middle Ages. It reached its peak in the Renaissance and Baroque eras, with designs in which sculpture became prominent (e.g., Rome's Trevi Fountain). Supplying water through conduits to multiple fountains, as at the Palace of Versailles, was an important feat. In Muslim countries, fountains for drinking and for ablutions are of great importance. A common type is the simple spout and basin enclosed in a graceful niche; more ambitious designs take the form of a richly decorated pavilion.