An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

General: Any thing or place from which something comes, arises, or is obtained.
Physics: A point, line, or area in space from which the lines of force in a vector field originate.
Electricity: Any active component, battery, or generator that supplies energy.
Thermodynamics: Any body, device, or system that provides energy.

Etymology (EN): M.E., from O.Fr. sourse “a rising, beginning, fountainhead of a river or stream,” from p.p. of sourdre “to rise, spring up,” from L. surgere “to rise,” → surge.

Etymology (PE): Xan “source,” variant xân (Gilaki xoni, Tabari xoni,Laki kyani, Tâleši xâni, xoni,); Mid.Pers. xân, xânig “source, spring,” Av. xâ-, xan- “source, fountain, spring,” xayana- “belonging to a spring;” cf. Khotanese khâhâ- “spring, fountain;” Skt. khâ’- “spring, source.”