riemer

n. [ F. rivère 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 (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 Potamochœrus. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]