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.
© Webster 1913.