Definition of reservoir
1 : a place where something is kept in store: such as
a : an artificial lake where water is collected and kept in quantity for use
b : a part of an apparatus in which a liquid is held
2 : an extra supply : reserve
3a : a host organism in which an infectious agent (such as a bacterium or virus) that is pathogenic for some other species lives and multiplies typically without damaging the host
Note: A reservoir serves as a source from which transmission of infection and outbreaks of disease can occur.
It is the white-footed mouse that serves as a natural reservoir host for the spirochete B. [Borrelia] burgdorferi. These mice carry the spirochete without any apparent harm to themselves, and it is through feeding on infected mice that the immature stages of the tick acquire the spirochete.— Suzanne Clothier et al. also : a nonliving thing (such as soil or water) in which an infectious agent lives and multiplies and which serves as a source of infection similar to a host organismb : a part of the body that harbors an infectious agent and serves as a source of reinfection or infection transmission
… vulvar or rectal reservoirs, which might increase risk for BV [bacterial vaginosis] recurrence.— Lisa E. Manhart et al. — compare carrier sense 5a, vector entry 1 sense 2a
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Time Traveler for reservoir
The first known use of reservoir was in 1690
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