Meaning
A riverbed that runs dry most of the year — a stretch of rocks and sand where a river only flows after heavy rain. In the dry season you can walk across the 'dry river'; but in a hard downpour it can fill and flood in minutes, sweeping away anything in its path. Country people know to respect a dry river: cross it quick when rain is coming, because the water 'come dung' without warning.
Examples
-
Wi walk cross di dry river inna di dry weather.
We walk across the dry riverbed in the dry season.
-
When rain fall, di dry river fill up fast.
When rain falls, the dry river fills up fast.
-
Nuh cross di dry river when rain a come.
Don't cross the dry river when rain is coming.
Origin
From 'dry' + 'river'; a seasonal riverbed, dry until heavy rain. See [[gully]], [[flood-rain]].
How it’s used
A seasonal riverbed, dry most of the year but flash-flooding in rain. See [[gully]], [[flood-rain]].