n.
Pronunciation: ' ri-v ə r
Function: noun
Usage: often attrib
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 : WATERCOURSE
2 a : something resembling a river <a river of lava> b plural : large or overwhelming quantities <drank river s of coffee>
– up the river : to or in prison <was sent up the river >