River \Riv"er\, n. [F. riv[`e]re a river, LL. riparia river,
bank of a river, fr. L. riparius belonging to a bank or
shore, fr. ripa a bank or shore; of uncertain origin. Cf.
Arrive, Riparian.]
1. A large stream of water flowing in a bed or channel and
emptying into the ocean, a sea, a lake, or another stream;
a stream larger than a rivulet or brook.
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Transparent and sparkling rivers, from which it is
delightful to drink as they flow. --Macaulay.
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2. Fig.: A large stream; copious flow; abundance; as, rivers
of blood; rivers of oil.
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River chub (Zool.), the hornyhead and allied species of
fresh-water fishes.
River crab (Zool.), any species of fresh-water crabs of the
genus Thelphusa, as Thelphusa depressa of Southern
Europe.
River dragon, a crocodile; -- applied by Milton to the king
of Egypt.
River driver, a lumberman who drives or conducts logs down
rivers. --Bartlett.
River duck (Zool.), any species of duck belonging to
Anas, Spatula, and allied genera, in which the hind
toe is destitute of a membranous lobe, as in the mallard
and pintail; -- opposed to sea duck.
River god, a deity supposed to preside over a river as its
tutelary divinity.
River herring (Zool.), an alewife.
River hog. (Zool.)
(a) Any species of African wild hogs of the genus
Potamoch[oe]rus. They frequent wet places along the
rivers.
(b) The capybara.
River horse (Zool.), the hippopotamus.
River jack (Zool.), an African puff adder (Clotho
nasicornis) having a spine on the nose.
River limpet (Zool.), a fresh-water, air-breathing mollusk
of the genus Ancylus, having a limpet-shaped shell.
River pirate (Zool.), the pike.
River snail (Zool.), any species of fresh-water gastropods
of Paludina, Melontho, and allied genera. See Pond
snail, under Pond.
River tortoise (Zool.), any one of numerous fresh-water
tortoises inhabiting rivers, especially those of the genus
Trionyx and allied genera. See Trionyx.
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