anabranch

[ an-uh-branch, -brahnch ]

noun

1. a stream branching off from a river and rejoining it further downstream.

anabranch

/ ˈɑːnəˌbrɑːntʃ /

noun

1. a stream that leaves a river and enters it again further downstream

Word History and Origins

Origin of anabranch¹

1825–35; short for anastomotic branch. See anastomosis

Word History and Origins

Origin of anabranch¹

C19: from ana ( stomosing ) branch

Example Sentences

They named the Macdam, an anabranch of the Gregory, and observing a river joining on the right side of the Gregory, called it the O’Shannassey; the source of the flowing stream that made the river so useful and picturesque was shortly afterwards found, where a large body of clear water fell over some basaltic rocks, showing that springs caused the flow, and not summer rains in the interior as was thought at first.

From Project Gutenberg

Some stockmen looking after the company’s cattle on an anabranch of Cornish Creek, were surrounded by water, and lived on jerked beef for a month.

From Project Gutenberg

The creek here has an anabranch that leaves it about half a mile above and joins again about half a mile below; width of island half a mile.

From Project Gutenberg

We encamped on the acute north-western angle of an anabranch biting into the firm soil, and it was evident that we had reached the Balonne Major, or that part above the separation of the Culgoa from the Minor Balonne, both of which we had already crossed, and which ran thus, as from our camp the lines of trees along each of the minor channels were distinctly visible.

From Project Gutenberg

An arm or anabranch, at first containing much water, and coming from the north, was on our right for some miles.

From Project Gutenberg