Quick Definition
χείμαρρος, ου, ὁ n.m. a winter torrent
Strong's Definition
from the base of 5494 and 4482; a storm-runlet, i.e. winter-torrent
KJV Usage: brook
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament
noun, m. | -ου | χειμάζομαι + ῥέω
1.77 · Geographical Objects and Features · Bodies of Water
brook, winter stream, rainy-season stream a stream or river which flows only during the rainy season (in Palestine this would be during the winter months) or when melting snow from the mountains provides running water for a relatively short period of time The reference in JHN 18:1 is probably to the narrow valley, not to the stream itself, as noted in 1.52.
1.52 · Geographical Objects and Features · Depressions and Holes
ravine, wadi a ravine or narrow valley in which a stream flows during the rainy season, but which is normally dry during the dry season In desert areas of the world designations for such ravines or valleys are common enough; in fact, there may be several different terms to describe different types of wadis, but for tropical areas and for most temperate parts of the world, it may seem incredible that rivers would regularly dry up during part of the year. What is important, however, in the biblical context in which χείμαρρος[a] ‘a seasonal stream,’ 1.77).
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
Χείμαρρος, (for the more com. χειμάρροος [56. ποταμός], Att. contr. χειμάρρους [q. v. in L.and S. fin.], ef. Lob. ad Phryn. p. 234), -ov, 6, (χεῖμα winter, and ῥέω, ῥόος), fr. Hom. down, Sept. very often for 5m3, lit. flowing in winter, a torrent: Jn. xviii. 1 [where A. V. brook].
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
χείμμαρος (shortened form of the more usual -οος, Attic contr., -ους), -ον
(< χεῖμα, ῥέω) [in LXX chiefly for נַחַל ;]
winter-flowing; as subst., ὁ χ. (sc. ποταμός), a torrent: Jo 18:1.†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
χείμαρρος, ‘*winter-torrent ἡ (Jn 181): Suid. 6 ἐν τῷ χειμῶνι ῥέων. Cf. Aristeas 117 ἄλλοι δὲ χείμαρροι λεγόμενοι κατίασι, “‘other winter-torrents, as they are called, flow down (into the plain).” For the form as compared with the longer χειμάρρους, see Thackeray Gy. i. p. 144.
Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon
χείμαρρος (cheimarros) — brook. χειμάρροος, ον, contraction χειμάρρους, ουν, and shortened χείμαρρος, ον: (χεῖμα, ῥέω):— winter-flowing, swollen by rain and melted snow, of mountain-streams,
I. joined with ποταμός, ὅν τε [the stone] ποταμὸς χειμάρροος ὤσῃ [Refs 8th c.BC+]: frequently in contracted forms, ποταμῷ πλήθοντι ἐοικὼς χειμάρρῳ [Refs 6th c.BC+]
I.2. πλεκτάνη χειμάρροος seems to be rushing, furious lightning [Refs 4th c.BC+]
II. substantive, torrent, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
II.2. simply, river, [LXX]
II.3. drain, gutter, οἱ ἐκ τῶν οἰκιῶν χ. [Refs 4th c.BC+]
II.4. valley, watercourse, [LXX+2nd c.AD+]