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more about cistern
cistern |
3 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Cistern \Cis"tern\, n. [OE. cisterne, OF cisterne, F. cisterne, fr L. cisterna, fr cista box, chest. See {Cist}, and cf {chest}.] 1. An artificial reservoir or tank for holding water, beer, or other liquids. 2. A natural reservoir; a hollow place containing water. ``The wide cisterns of the lakes.'' --Blackmore. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: cistern n 1: a sac or cavity containing fluid especially lymph or cerebrospinal fluid [syn: {cisterna}] 2: holds the water used to flush a toilet [syn: {water tank}] 3: an artificial reservoir for storing liquids; especially an underground tank for storing rainwater From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary [easton]: Cistern the rendering of a Hebrew word _bor_, which means a receptacle for water conveyed to it distinguished from _beer_, which denotes a place where water rises on the spot (Jer. 2:13; Prov. 5:15; Isa. 36:16), a fountain. Cisterns are frequently mentioned in Scripture. The scarcity of springs in Palestine made it necessary to collect rain-water in reservoirs and cisterns (Num. 21:22). (See {WELL}.) Empty cisterns were sometimes used as prisons (Jer. 38:6; Lam. 3:53; Ps 40:2; 69:15). The pit" into which Joseph was cast (Gen. 37:24) was a _beer_ or dry well There are numerous remains of ancient cisterns in all parts of Palestine.
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