denotes a subterraneous reservoir of rain water; or a vessel serving as a receptacle for rain or other water, for the necessary uses of a family. There are likewise lead-cisterns, jar-cisterns, &c.

Authors mention a cistern at Constantinople, the vaults of which are supported by two rows of pillars, 212 in each row, each pillar being two feet in diameter. They are planted circularly, and in radii tending to that of the centre.

Anciently there were cisterns all over the country in Palestine. There were some likewise in cities and private houses. As the cities for the most part were built on mountains, and the rains fell regularly in Judea at two seasons in the year only, in spring and autumn, people were obliged to keep water in cisterns in the country for the use of their cattle, and in cities for the convenience of the inhabitants. There are still cisterns of very large dimensions to be seen in Palestine, some whereof are 150 paces long, and 54 wide. There is one to be seen at Ramah of 32 paces in length, and 28 in breadth. Wells and cisterns, springs and fountains, are generally confounded in scripture-language.