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reservoir

1. (Science: anatomy) A place or cavity for storage, for anatomical structures serving as a storage space for fluids.

2. (Science: geography) 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.

3. (Science: botany) A small intercellular space, often containing esin, essential oil, or some other secreted matter. Receiving reservoir, a principal reservoir into which an aqueduct or rising main delivers water, and from which a distributing reservoir draws its supply.

4. (Science: microbiology) A reservoir host or reservoir of infection, an alternate or passive host or carrier that harbours pathogenic organisms, without injury to itself and serves as a source from which other individuals can be infected.

Origin: F. Reservoir, LL. Reservatorium, from server = to reserve