/'faʊntɪn; [US] -tn; `fɑuntn/
n
1 jet of water, esp one forced up into the air artificially as an ornament 喷水; （尤指人造的作装饰用的）喷泉
*The fountains of Rome are famed for their architectural beauty. 罗马的喷泉以其建筑之美而着称.
* A fountain of water gushed from the broken fire hydrant. 从损坏的消防栓里喷出水来.
2 = drinking fountain (drink2).
3 ~ (of sth) (rhet or arch 修辞或古) source or origin (of sth); fount （某事物的）来源或根源; 源泉
*the fountain of justice 正义的源泉.

n[C]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: French;Origin: fontaine, from Latin fons 'place where water comes out of the ground']
a structure from which water is pushed up into the air, used for example as decoration in a garden or park
a flow of liquid, or of something bright and colourful that goes straight up into the air
fountain of
　A fountain of blood was pouring from his chest.
　A fountain of sparks shot high into the night sky.
fountain of sth
written a source or supply of something
　Sir Robert was a fountain of information on Asian affairs.
→drinking fountain, soda fountain