Billabong

/ˈbɪləbɒŋ/ noun

An Australian term for an isolated pond left behind after a river changes course, typically found in arid regions. A stagnant pool of water attached to a waterway.

From Wiradjuri (Australian Aboriginal language) 'bilabang', from 'bila' (river) + 'bong' (dead). The word entered Australian English in the 1860s and became iconic through 'Waltzing Matilda'.

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