a river http://www.bartleby.com/61/13/R0261300.html 
 RIVER                    

            SYLLABICATION:
                          riv·er
            PRONUNCIATION:
                          rvr
            NOUN:
                          1. abbr. R. A large natural stream of water emptying
                          into an ocean, lake, or other body of water and usually
                          fed along its course by converging tributaries.
                         2. A stream or abundant flow: a river of tears. 
            IDIOM:
                         up the river Slang In or into prison. 
            ETYMOLOGY:
                         Middle English rivere, from Anglo-Norman, from Vulgar
                         Latin *rpria, from Latin, feminine of rprius,
                         of a bank, from rpa, bank.

How could a river not include its banks?


my other obsession