reservoir
    n 1: a large or extra supply of something; "a reservoir of
         talent"
    2: lake used to store water for community use [syn: reservoir,
       artificial lake, man-made lake]
    3: tank used for collecting and storing a liquid (as water or
       oil)
    4: anything (a person or animal or plant or substance) in which
       an infectious agent normally lives and multiplies; "an
       infectious agent depends on a reservoir for its survival"
       [syn: reservoir, source]

Receptacle \Re*cep"ta*cle\ (r[-e]*s[e^]p"t[.a]*k'l), n. [F.
   r['e]ceptacle, L. receptaculum, fr. receptare, v. intens. fr.
   recipere to receive. See Receive.]
   1. That which serves, or is used, for receiving and
      containing something, as for examople, a basket, a
      vase, a bag, a reservoir; a repository.
      [1913 Webster]

            O sacred receptacle of my joys!       --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Bot.)
      (a) The apex of the flower stalk, from which the organs of
          the flower grow, or into which they are inserted. See
          Illust. of Flower, and Ovary.
      (b) The dilated apex of a pedicel which serves as a common
          support to a head of flowers.
      (c) An intercellular cavity containing oil or resin or
          other matters.
      (d) A special branch which bears the fructification in
          many cryptogamous plants.
          [1913 Webster]

Reservoir \Res"er*voir`\ (r[e^]z"[~e]r*vw[^o]r`; 277), n. [F.
   r['e]servoir, fr. LL. reservatorium. See Reservatory.]
   1. A place where anything is kept in store; especially, a
      place where water is collected and kept for use when
      wanted, as to supply a fountain, a canal, or a city by
      means of aqueducts, or to drive a mill wheel, or the like.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Bot.) A small intercellular space, often containing
      resin, essential oil, or some other secreted matter.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. (Med.) a large quantity of infectious microorganisms
      resident in animals other than man, potentially capable of
      being transmitted to humans.
      [PJC]

   3. (Med.) a large quantity of infectious microorganisms or
      parasites resident in animals other than man, potentially
      capable of being transmitted to humans; especially, such
      organisms in animals where they do little or no harm to
      the host.
      [PJC]

   4. a large supply or stock of anything which may be rapidly
      put to use; a reserve.
      [PJC]

   Receiving reservoir (Water Works), a principal reservoir
      into which an aqueduct or rising main delivers water, and
      from which a distributing reservoir draws its supply.
      [1913 Webster]