font

¹ American  

[font] / fɒnt /

noun

1. a receptacle, usually of stone, as in a baptistery or church, containing the water used in baptism.

2. a receptacle for holy water; stoup.

3. a productive source.

   The book is a font of useful tips for travelers.

4. the reservoir for oil in a lamp.

5. Archaic. a fountain.

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font ² American  

[font] / fɒnt /

noun

Printing.

1. a complete assortment of type of one style and size.

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font ¹ British  

/ fɒnt /

noun

1. 1. a large bowl for baptismal water, usually mounted on a pedestal

   2. a receptacle for holy water

2. the reservoir for oil in an oil lamp

3. archaic a fountain or well

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font ² British  

/ fɒnt /

noun

1. Also called: fount.  printing a complete set of type of one style and size

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Other Word Forms

• fontal adjective

Etymology

Origin of font¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English font, fant, from Latin font-, stem of fōns “baptismal font, spring, fountain”

Origin of font²

First recorded in 1570–80; from Middle French fonte, from Vulgar Latin funditus (unrecorded) “a pouring, molding, casting,” verbal noun from Latin fundere “to pour”; found ³

Example Sentences

One snapped a picture of the sale sign, at which point employees pointed out the date in small font.

From Barron's

All memos in the governor’s office are written in 12 point Century Gothic font with specific spacing between lines, formatting that his aides say helps him with his disability.

From Los Angeles Times

It strains my brain the way Mom says reading a small font on a screen strains her eyes, and I can’t decide if I like the sensation or not.

From Literature

At a time when rich Western nations see mass immigration as the font of societal ills, Dubai and other Gulf cities stand as exceptional beacons for foreign talent.

From The Wall Street Journal

The latest meme appears to use an image from Pokopia, with the slogan written in a similar font to the game.

From BBC

Related Words

• fount