waterheads

Noun

waterhead (countable and uncountable, plural waterheads)

1. A spring or headwater.
   • It is bounded to the southward by a line of springs or waterheads, which is also the northern boundary of the tract called the Terrai , one equally distinguished with the former from the souther plain country, but occasionally annexed to it and occasionally to the hills.1842, “Report of the Mineralogical Survey of the Himmalaya Mountains”, in Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, volume 11, page xxxix
2. An area of high elevation, viewed as the catchment basin for a region.
   • In my Report on the Agriculture and Minerals of Derbyshire, the first volume of which, treating the surface, minerals, rivers, &c. is now in the press, An alphabetical List of the most remarkable Mountains, Hills and Eminences has been printed, referring to a small Map of 41 principal Ridges, or...1811, John Farey, “To Mr. Tilloch”, in The Philosophical Magazine, page 161
3. A reservoir or natural source of water that is put to use.
   • As a result of narrowing the stream channel, a waterhead is formed in front of a structure and the depth of water reaches the magnitude H, greater than the depth of an unelevated water a.1963, United States. Dept. of Commerce. Office of Technical Services, OTS. - Issues 60-21508
4. A portion of a device or system where water is stored before it is used, such as a header tank.
   • The water supplied to the boiler first pases into a waterhead situate within the smoke box, where it becomes heated preparatory to entering the boiler.1867, English Patents of Inventions, Specifications: 1867, 2905 - 2960, page 3
5. The amount of water or water pressure provided by a waterhead (reservoir or portion of a device that stores water).
   • Where water is conveyed through pipes and there is sufficient waterhead for pipe pressure, spraying irrigation may be resorted to.1916, Frank Duane Gardner, Successful Farming, page 775
6. A showerhead.
   • I even shower with my pen, in case any ideas drip out of the waterhead.2014, Sherree A. Felstead, Passion to Paper, page 33

See all 18 meanings of waterhead