'River horse' definitions:

Definition of 'river horse'

(from WordNet)
noun
Massive thick-skinned herbivorous animal living in or around rivers of tropical Africa [syn: hippopotamus, hippo, river horse, Hippopotamus amphibius]

Definition of 'River horse'

From: GCIDE
  • River \Riv"er\, n. [F. riv[`e]re 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 Potamoch[oe]rus. 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]

Definition of 'river horse'

From: GCIDE
  • Hippopotamus \Hip`po*pot"a*mus\, n.; pl. E. Hippopotamuses, L. Hippopotami. [L., from Gr.?; "i`ppos horse + ? river. Cf. Equine.] (Zool.) A large, amphibious, herbivorous mammal ({Hippopotamus amphibius}), common in the rivers of tropical Africa. It is allied to the hogs, and has a very thick, naked skin, a thick and square head, a very large muzzle, small eyes and ears, thick and heavy body, and short legs. It is supposed to be the behemoth of the Bible. Called also zeekoe, and {river horse}. A smaller species (Hippopotamus Liberiencis) inhabits Western Africa. [1913 Webster]