cistern
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CISTERN — (Heb. בּוֹר, bor), a subterranean artificially hewn reservoir for storing rainwater. Common in the highland regions of Palestine, diversion channels brought surface run off rainwater during the short rainy season to the mouth of the cistern.… … Encyclopedia of Judaism
Cistern — Cis tern, n. [OE. cisterne, OF. cisterne, F. cisterne, fr. L. cisterna, fr. cista box, chest. See {Cist}, and cf. {chest}.] 1. An artificial reservoir or tank for holding water, beer, or other liquids. [1913 Webster] 2. A natural reservoir; a… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
cistern — • cistern, reservoar, bassäng … Svensk synonymlexikon
cistern — mid 13c., from O.Fr. cisterne (12c., Mod.Fr. citerne), from L. cisterna underground reservoir for water, from cista chest, from Gk. kiste box, chest (see CHEST (Cf. chest)) … Etymology dictionary
cistern — ► NOUN 1) a water storage tank, especially as part of a flushing toilet. 2) an underground reservoir for rainwater. ORIGIN Latin cisterna, from cista box … English terms dictionary
cistern — [sis′tərn] n. [ME cisterne > OFr < L cisterna, reservoir for water < cista,CHEST] 1. a large receptacle for storing water; esp., a tank, usually underground, in which rain water is collected for use 2. Anat. a sac or cavity containing a… … English World dictionary
Cistern — This article is about the underground reservoir. For other uses, see Cistern (disambiguation). Portuguese cistern El Jadida in Morocco … Wikipedia
cistern — [[t]sɪ̱stə(r)n[/t]] cisterns 1) N COUNT A cistern is a container which stores the water supply for a building, or that holds the water for flushing a toilet. [mainly BRIT] Syn: tank (in AM, usually use tank) 2) N COUNT A cistern is a container… … English dictionary
cistern — UK [ˈsɪstə(r)n] / US [ˈsɪstərn] noun [countable] Word forms cistern : singular cistern plural cisterns a) a container for holding water b) a container for holding the water that is used for flushing a toilet (= making water go through it) … English dictionary
cistern — /sis teuhrn/, n. 1. a reservoir, tank, or container for storing or holding water or other liquid. 2. Anat. a reservoir or receptacle of some natural fluid of the body. [1250 1300; ME cistern(e) < L cisterna, equiv. to cist(a) (see CIST1) + erna n … Universalium
