fountain English · revision 15037

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1410|origins=la fōns}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈfaʊn.tɪn/, US /ˈfaʊn.tən/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|fountaine]], [[bor|fro|fontaine|t=natural spring]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) from [[la-lat|fontāna|t=fountain, spring]], the feminine of [[la|fontānus|t=of a spring]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) from [[m|la|fōns|t=spring]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) which Watkins traces to [[ine-pro|*dhen-|t=to run, flow]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A natural spring that collects in a pool: about 1410 in Barnhart, the early 15th century in Etymonline, about 1450 in the OED.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A fountain was at first a natural spring rather than an artificial one.^(Cresswell 2021) Figuratively, a source, it is from 1398.^(OED 1989) An artificial jet of water, and the structure that makes it, is from 1509.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) The ''fountain pen'', named for its reservoir of ink, is from 1823,^(Etymonline) and the ''drinking fountain'' from the mid-1800s.^(Barnhart 1988) The same Latin word gave [[font]], a baptismal font.^(Cresswell 2021) In Gloucestershire and Devon a fountain was a kitchen boiler beside the stove.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1398 – a source (figurative).^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1410 – a natural spring.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1509 – an artificial jet of water.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1823 – fountain pen.^(Etymonline)

+ * mid-1800s – drinking fountain.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # An artificial jet or spray of water, or the decorative structure from which it rises.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A natural [[spring]], especially the source of a stream.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A jet or cascade of sparks, lava or the like.^(Collins 2023)

+ # A source or origin.^(Collins 2023)^(OED 1989)

+ # A reservoir for a liquid, as for oil in a lamp or ink in a pen.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To flow or spurt like a fountain.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[fountained]]

+ * [[fountainless]]

+ * [[fountainlike]]

+ * [[fountainhead]]

+ * [[drinking fountain]]

+ * [[fountain of youth]]

+ * [[fountain pen]]

+ * [[ink fountain]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[font]]

+ * [[fount]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}