I. ˈfau̇nt ə n, -tə̇n noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English fountaine, from Middle French fontaine, from Late Latin fontana, from Latin, feminine of fontanus of a spring, from font-, fons spring + -anus -an
1.
a.
(1) : a spring of water issuing from the earth
the greatest objection to this country is the want of fountains and running streams — H.M.Brackenridge
(2) : the point of origin or head of a stream
making rivers to ascend to their fountains — John Ray
b. : something that resembles a flowing spring
with purple fountains issuing from your veins — Shakespeare
2. : the source from which something proceeds or from which it is supplied
he is the fountain of honor and all titles spring from his power of conferment — W.A.Robson
3.
a. : an artificially produced jet of water
b. : the structure from which such a jet of water rises or flows
c. : drinking fountain
d. : an upward jet or downward shower of something other than water
spectacular fountains of lava — Howel Williams
e. : a pyrotechnic device that emits a shower of sparks in imitation of water falling from a fountain
4. heraldry : a roundel barry-wavy of six argent and azure
5. : a reservoir containing a liquid or other substance that can be conducted or drawn off as needed for use
the ink fountain in a printing press
6. : soda fountain
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
intransitive verb
: to flow or spout like a fountain
transitive verb
: to cause to flow like a fountain