old river

American  

noun

1. a river bed left dry because the river has changed its course.

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Etymology

Origin of old river

An Americanism dating back to 1685–95

Example Sentences

“Till the rains begin. Then this old river will come down out of the mountains yonder and carry you and this bridge — and a dozen bridges with it — to hell and gone.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 28, 2023

This specimen was found in what researchers believe was an old river channel.

From BBC • Dec. 20, 2021

Native American tribal leaders said that the old river would never come back, but that the federal government was now bound, through court decisions and treaties, to work with tribes going forward.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 28, 2017

He breaks off to sing gently, “Dirty old river …”

From The Guardian • May 11, 2017

Hercules had been a pretty huge disappointment as a big brother, and the old river god Achelous had said some unflattering things about the sons of Jupiter.

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan