cistern

cistern
    n 1: a sac or cavity containing fluid especially lymph or
         cerebrospinal fluid [syn: {cisterna}, {cistern}]
    2: a tank that holds the water used to flush a toilet [syn:
       {cistern}, {water tank}]
    3: an artificial reservoir for storing liquids; especially an
       underground tank for storing rainwater
    

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.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A natural reservoir; a hollow place containing water. "The
      wide cisterns of the lakes." --Blackmore.
      [1913 Webster]
    

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.
    

43 Moby Thesaurus words for "cistern":
      artificial lake, bayou lake, dam, dead water, dike, etang,
      farm pond, fishpond, freshwater lake, glacial lake, inland sea,
      lagoon, laguna, lake, lakelet, landlocked water, linn, loch, lough,
      mere, millpond, millpool, nyanza, oxbow lake, plash, pond, pondlet,
      pool, puddle, reservoir, salina, salt pond, stagnant water,
      standing water, still water, sump, tank, tarn, tidal pond,
      volcanic lake, water hole, water pocket, well