Foun″tain (foun″tĭn), n. [F. fontaine, LL. fontana, fr. L. fons, fontis. See 2d Fount.] 1. A spring of water issuing from the earth.
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.
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.
4. The source from which anything proceeds, or from which anything is supplied continuously; origin; source.
Judea, the fountain of the gospel. Fuller.
Author of all being,
Fountain of light, thyself invisible. Milton.
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(Zoöl.), 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.