Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Fountain \Foun"tain\ (foun"t[i^]n), 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} (Zo["o]l.), 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.

Source : WordNet®

fountain
     n 1: a structure from which an artificially produced jet of water
          arises
     2: a natural flow of ground water [syn: {spring}, {outflow}, {outpouring},
         {natural spring}]
     3: an artificially produced flow of water [syn: {jet}]
     4: a plumbing fixture that provides a flow of water [syn: {fount}]