a. rare. [f. FOUNTAIN + -OUS.] a. Of the nature of a fountain or source. lit. and fig. b. Containing fountains or springs of water.
1655. T. Stanley, Hist. Philos., I. (1701), 18/1. From the Fountainous Idea’s there proceeded others.
1664. Beale, in Evelyn’s Pomona, 29. If the Land be neither dry for a sand-house, nor fountainous, for this better expedient.
1747. E. Poston, Pratler, I. 42. From this vast fountainous Cause we may plainly trace all the Sins and Follies of Mankind.
1855. P. J. Bailey, Mystic, 72.
| The angels trenched the rivers; and unsealed | |
| The secret wealth of many a fountainous hill. |
Hence Fountainously adv. (= as from a source).
1662. J. Chandler, Van Helmont’s Oriat., 195. Indeed the saltness of the Spirit may be known, but the light of the same proceeding immediately and fountainously from the Father of Lights, doth drive away all further search of mortall men.
