The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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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