river

Everyday

1. A river is a large stream of fresh water that flows across land to a lake, another river or the sea. tree →
2. A river of something is a large flowing amount: a river of lava, rivers of tears. tree →

In the lessons

In maths: a place in the story; length of a river, distance across it, speed of the current or of a boat; going with or against the current. In science and geography: the source, the mouth, tributaries, erosion, the water cycle; long rivers like the Mississippi, the Thames, the Shannon, the Murray. In safety: rivers can be deep and fast; swim only in safe, watched places. In stories: a raft trip down the river.

Examples

• The river is 120 km long. tree →
• A boat travels 20 miles up the river. tree →
• The bridge over the river is 300 meters. tree →
• How long does it take to cross the river? tree →
• The river flows into the sea. tree →
• The Shannon is the longest river in Ireland. tree →
• The river carries sand and mud downstream. tree →
• Never swim in a river without an adult. tree →
• We floated on a raft down the river. tree →
• It will become a wide, wide river. tree →

Note

Usually a place; gives distances. Trap: going with or against the current changes a boat's speed (with the current: add the current's speed; against: subtract). Rivers flow downhill from source to mouth. Names of rivers take «the» and a capital: the Thames.

In Jewish tradition

Rivers in the Torah are real places like the Euphrates and the Nile, and "the River" means the Euphrates. The Nile turned to blood is the first plague.

Interpretation. Tradition reads the four rivers of Eden as a sign of paradise, and the Nile's blood as a blow against Egypt's river-worship.

Examples

• And the fourth river is the Euphrates. (Torah GEN.2.14, JPS 1917) tree →
• And seven days were fulfilled, after that the LORD had smitten the river. (Torah EXO.7.25, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Samlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth by the River reigned in his stead. (Torah GEN.36.37, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thou dost cleave the earth with rivers. (Prophets HAB.3.9, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thou didst cleave fountain and brook; Thou driedst up ever-flowing rivers. (Writings PSA.74.15, JPS 1917) tree →
• He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and watersprings into a thirsty ground; (Writings PSA.107.33, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Usually a place; gives distances. Trap: going with or against the current changes a boat's speed (with the current: add the current's speed; against: subtract). Rivers flow downhill from source to mouth. Names of rivers take «the» and a capital: the Thames.