font

1
[ font ]
/ fɒnt /

noun

a receptacle, usually of stone, as in a baptistery or church, containing the water used in baptism.
a receptacle for holy water; stoup.
a productive source: The book is a font of useful tips for travelers.
the reservoir for oil in a lamp.
Archaic. a fountain.

Origin of font

1
before 1000; Middle English; Old English font, fant < Latin font- (stem of fōns) baptismal font, spring, fountain

Definition for font (2 of 2)

font 2
[ font ]
/ fɒnt /

noun Printing.

a complete assortment of type of one style and size.
Also British, fount.

Origin of font

2
1570–80; < Middle French fonte < Vulgar Latin *funditus a pouring, molding, casting, verbal noun from Latin fundere to pour. See found3

Example sentences from the Web for font

British Dictionary definitions for font (1 of 2)

font 1
/ (fɒnt) /

noun

  1. a large bowl for baptismal water, usually mounted on a pedestal
  2. a receptacle for holy water
the reservoir for oil in an oil lamp
archaic, or poetic a fountain or well

Derived forms of font

fontal, adjective

Word Origin for font

Old English, from Church Latin fons, from Latin: fountain

British Dictionary definitions for font (2 of 2)

font 2
/ (fɒnt) /

noun

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

Word Origin for font

C16: from Old French fonte a founding, casting, from Vulgar Latin funditus (unattested) a casting, from Latin fundere to melt; see found ³