reservoir English · revision 14982

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1690|origins=la reservō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈrez.əv.wɑː/, US /ˈrez.ɚv.wɑːr/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fr|réservoir|t=storehouse]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from [[m|fr|réserver|t=to reserve]] and the suffix [[m|fr|-oir]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) from [[la|reservō|t=to keep back, save up]] (see [[reserve]]).^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Figuratively, a place where something is collected or tends to collect: 1690 in the OED, Barnhart and Merriam-Webster, the 1680s in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A receptacle in which water is collected and stored is from 1705, in Addison.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) A tank or cistern for water and a part of a plant or animal holding a fluid are from the 1720s–30s,^(OED 1989) and a natural place where water collects from the 1730s–40s.^(OED 1989) A body of porous rock holding oil or natural gas is from 1912.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1690 – a figurative store.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1705 – a water reservoir.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1727–38 – a cistern; a store of fluid in a body.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1912 – an oil or gas reservoir.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A natural or artificial lake used to store water for a community or for irrigation.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A tank or chamber for storing a fluid.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # An underground accumulation of oil or natural gas.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # A large supply or store of something.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[reserve]]

+ * [[reservation]]

+ * [[conserve]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}