fountain

Everyday

1. A fountain is a stream of water pushed up into the air, often as a decoration in a park or square. tree →
2. A drinking fountain is a device that gives a small stream of water to drink from. tree →
3. A fountain can mean a flow or rich source of something («a fountain of ideas»). tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life, parks and squares have fountains; schools have drinking fountains (water fountains, or «bubblers» in Australia). In science, fountains show water pressure. Phrases: «drinking fountain», «water fountain», «fountain pen», «chocolate fountain».

Examples

• We threw coins into the fountain and made a wish. tree →
• There's a drinking fountain by the playground. tree →
• The fountain shot water high into the air. tree →
• Pigeons washed in the fountain. tree →
• Dad writes with an old fountain pen. tree →
• The party had a chocolate fountain. tree →
• Don't climb in the fountain; the stones are slippery. tree →
• Not far from the fountain there lived a family of bricklayers. tree →

Note

Spelling: «-tain» as in «mountain». Countable. In Australia a drinking fountain is often called a «bubbler». Not a number word.

In Jewish tradition

It is a spring of water coming out of the ground, not a made fountain.

Interpretation. "Fountains of the deep" in the Flood story are read as the waters under the earth that burst open. Joseph's blessing as a vine by a spring is read as a sign of his fruitful life.

Examples

• Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine by a fountain; its branches run over the wall. (Torah GEN.49.22, JPS 1917) tree →
• the fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained. (Torah GEN.8.2, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban; and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the fountain. (Torah GEN.24.29, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thou didst cleave fountain and brook; Thou driedst up ever-flowing rivers. (Writings PSA.74.15, JPS 1917) tree →
• Let thy fountain be blessed; and have joy of the wife of thy youth. (Writings PRO.5.18, JPS 1917) tree →
• For with Thee is the fountain of life; in Thy light do we see light. (Writings PSA.36.10, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Spelling: «-tain» as in «mountain». Countable. In Australia a drinking fountain is often called a «bubbler». Not a number word.