wellspring
[wel-spring]
- the head or source of a spring, stream, river, etc.; fountainhead.
- a source or supply of anything, especially when considered inexhaustible: a wellspring of affection.
Show More
Origin of wellspring
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for wellspring
Contemporary Examples
Nor should our recognition of Edward Snowden occasion our rejection of peace and joy as a wellspring of our lives.
Mexico, Mexico City in particular, has been a wellspring for the global art world for a while.
Jeffress was of course tapping into a wellspring of anti-Mormon prejudice in the culture.
Historical Examples
Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it.
The wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook, says the Wise Man.
The Chaplain of the FleetWalter Besant and James Rice
And what a godsend and wellspring of delight Jess and his store were to all Rockhaven's progeny.
RockhavenCharles Munn
Eugenie's first and only love was a wellspring of sadness within her.
Eugenie GrandetHonore de Balzac
And the body is, of necessity, a wellspring of energy; it has to do something.
Democracy and EducationJohn Dewey
wellspring
- the source of a spring or stream; fountainhead
- a source of continual or abundant supply
Show More
Word Origin
Old English welspryng, wylspring; see well ², spring
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
Word Origin and History for wellspring
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper