FOUNT', FOUNT'AIN, noun [Latin fons.] 1. A spring, or source of water; properly, a spring or issuing of water from the earth. This word accords in sense with well, in our mother tongue; but we now distinguish the, applying fountain to a natural spring of water, and well to an artificial pit of water, issuing from the interior of the earth. 2. A small basin of springing water. 3. A jet; a spouting of water; an artificial spring. 4. The head or source of a river. 5. Original; first principle or cause; the source of any thing. Almighty God, the fountain of all goodness. FOUNT of types. [See Font.]
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI