E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Rivals.
“Persons dwelling on opposite sides of a river.” Forsyth derives these words from the Latin riva’lis, a riverman. Cælius says there was no more fruitful source of contention than river-right, both with beasts and men, not only for the benefit of its waters, but also because rivers are natural boundaries. Hence Ariosto compares Orlando and Ag’rican to “two hinds quarrelling for the river-right” (xxiii. 83).
