- River horse
- 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.
[1913 Webster]
Transparent and sparkling rivers, from which it is delightful to drink as they flow. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]
2. Fig.: A large stream; copious flow; abundance; as, rivers of blood; rivers of oil. [1913 Webster]
{River chub} (Zo["o]l.), the hornyhead and allied species of fresh-water fishes.
{River crab} (Zo["o]l.), 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} (Zo["o]l.), 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} (Zo["o]l.), an alewife.
{River hog}. (Zo["o]l.) (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} (Zo["o]l.), the hippopotamus.
{River jack} (Zo["o]l.), an African puff adder ({Clotho nasicornis}) having a spine on the nose.
{River limpet} (Zo["o]l.), a fresh-water, air-breathing mollusk of the genus {Ancylus}, having a limpet-shaped shell.
{River pirate} (Zo["o]l.), the pike.
{River snail} (Zo["o]l.), any species of fresh-water gastropods of {Paludina}, {Melontho}, and allied genera. See {Pond snail}, under {Pond}.
{River tortoise} (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous fresh-water tortoises inhabiting rivers, especially those of the genus {Trionyx} and allied genera. See {Trionyx}. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
