Main Entry:

riv·er

Pronunciation:

\ˈri-vər\

Function:

noun

Usage:

often attributive

Etymology:

Middle English rivere, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *riparia, from Latin, feminine of riparius riparian, from ripa bank, shore; perhaps akin to Greek ereipein to tear down

Date:

14th century

1 a: a natural stream of water of usually considerable volume b: watercourse2 a: something resembling a river <a river of lava> bplural : large or overwhelming quantities <drank rivers of coffee>

— up the river

: to or in prison <was sent up the river>