artesian

adjective ar·te·sian \ (ˈ)är-¦tē-zhən \

Definition of artesian

: involving, relating to, or supplied by the upward movement of water under hydrostatic pressure in rocks or unconsolidated material beneath the earth's surface

artesian spring

artesian water

artesian pressure

—distinguished from subartesian

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Origin and Etymology of artesian

French artésien, literally, of Artois, from Old French, from Arteis Artois, region of northern France + Old French -ien -ian; from the wells of this type bored in Artois in the 18th century