Etymology Map
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Fountain

3 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means an ornamental jet of water

Where does the word "fountain" come from? It comes from Late Latin fontana, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
fontana
Late Latin · ancient
"spring"
from 'fons', spring, the root of 'font'
2
Stage 2 of 3
fontaine
Old French · medieval
"spring, fountain"
a natural spring
3
Stage 3 of 3
fountain
English · 1400s
"spring"
ornamental fountains spread in the Renaissance
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Read the full story

Fountain’s story begins in Late Latin: fontana meant “spring.” From 'fons', spring, the root of 'font'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as fontaine. A natural spring. It reached English by 1400s as fountain. Ornamental fountains spread in the Renaissance. Today, fountain means an ornamental jet of water.