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 (Zool.), 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 ]

n. 1. an abundant source.
Syn. -- well, wellspring. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. the source of water from which a stream arises.
Syn. -- headspring, head. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. Having no fountain; destitute of springs or sources of water. [ 1913 Webster ]

Barren desert, fountainless and dry. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. a counter at which people may sit and be served soda pop, ice cream, or light meals. Such counters may be located for example in restaurants, ice cream shops, drugstores, departments stores. [ PJC ]