cistern
[ sis-tern ]
/ ˈsɪs tərn /
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noun
a reservoir, tank, or container for storing or holding water or other liquid.
Anatomy. a reservoir or receptacle of some natural fluid of the body.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!
Set some time apart to test your bracket symbol knowledge, and see if you can keep your parentheses, squares, curlies, and angles all straight!
Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT Origin of cistern
1250–1300; Middle English cistern(e) <Latin cisterna, equivalent to cist(a) (see cist1) + -erna noun suffix
Words nearby cistern
cissus, Cissy, cist, cistaceous, Cistercian, cistern, cisterna, cisternal puncture, cistern barometer, cisternography, cis-trans test
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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British Dictionary definitions for cistern
cistern
/ (ˈsɪstən) /
noun
a tank for the storage of water, esp on or within the roof of a house or connected to a WC
an underground reservoir for the storage of a liquid, esp rainwater
anatomy another name for cisterna
Derived forms of cistern
cisternal (sɪˈstɜːnəl), adjectiveWord Origin for cistern
C13: from Old French cisterne, from Latin cisterna underground tank, from cista box
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Medical definitions for cistern
cistern
[ sĭs′tərn ]
n.
A cisterna.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.