Riv·er n.
 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.
    Transparent and sparkling rivers, from which it is delightful to drink as they flow.   --Macaulay.
 2. Fig.: A large stream; copious flow; abundance; as, rivers of blood; rivers of oil.
 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.