- Fountain shell
- Fountain Foun"tain (foun"t[i^]n), n. [F. fontaine, LL.
fontana, fr. L. fons, fontis. See 2d {Fount}.]
1. A spring of water issuing from the earth.
[1913 Webster]
2. An artificially produced jet or stream of water; also, the structure or works in which such a jet or stream rises or flows; a basin built and constantly supplied with pure water for drinking and other useful purposes, or for ornament. [1913 Webster]
3. A reservoir or chamber to contain a liquid which can be conducted or drawn off as needed for use; as, the ink fountain in a printing press, etc. [1913 Webster]
4. The source from which anything proceeds, or from which anything is supplied continuously; origin; source. [1913 Webster]
Judea, the fountain of the gospel. --Fuller. [1913 Webster]
Author of all being, Fountain of light, thyself invisible. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
{Air fountain}. See under {Air}.
{Fountain heead}, primary source; original; first principle. --Young.
{Fountain inkstand}, an inkstand having a continual supply of ink, as from elevated reservoir.
{Fountain lamp}, a lamp fed with oil from an elevated reservoir.
{Fountain pen}, a pen with a reservoir in the handle which furnishes a supply of ink.
{Fountain pump}. (a) A structure for a fountain, having the form of a pump. (b) A portable garden pump which throws a jet, for watering plants, etc.
{Fountain shell} (Zo["o]l.), the large West Indian conch shell ({Strombus gigas}).
{Fountain of youth}, a mythical fountain whose waters were fabled to have the property of renewing youth. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.