Reservoir
Reservoir (rez"ẽr*vwôr`; 277) , noun
[French réservoir, from Late Latin reservatorium. See Reservatory.]
1.
A place where anything is kept in store; especially, a place where water is collected and kept for use when wanted, as to supply a fountain, a canal, or a city by means of aqueducts, or to drive a mill wheel, or the like.
2.
(Botany) A small intercellular space, often containing resin, essential oil, or some other secreted matter.
3.
(Medicine) A large quantity of infectious microorganisms resident in animals other than man, potentially capable of being transmitted to humans.
3.
(Medicine) a large quantity of infectious microorganisms or parasites resident in animals other than man, potentially capable of being transmitted to humans; especially, such organisms in animals where they do little or no harm to the host.
4.
A large supply or stock of anything which may be rapidly put to use; a reserve.
Collocations (1)
Receiving reservoir (Water Works) , a principal reservoir into which an aqueduct or rising main delivers water, and from which a distributing reservoir draws its supply.