cistern
engineering
Quick Summary
A cistern is an artificial reservoir, often an underground tank, used for storing liquids, most commonly water, such as rainwater. Historically, large silver vessels were also referred to as cisterns and used for purposes like cooling wine at the dining table. In biology, a cistern can also be a fluid-containing sac or cavity within an organism. The word originates from the Latin word cisterna, meaning box or chest.1
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