reef
1
[ reef ]
/ rif /
noun
a ridge of rocks or sand, often of coral debris, at or near the surface of the water.
Mining.
a lode or vein.
Origin of reef
1
1575–85; earlier
riff(e) < Dutch
rif
Words nearby reef
reedley,
reedling,
reedman,
reeducate,
reedy,
reef,
reef knot,
reef point,
reef whitetip shark,
reefer,
reeffish
Definition for reef (2 of 2)
reef
2
[ reef ]
/ rif /
noun
a part of a sail that is rolled and tied down to reduce the area exposed to the wind.
verb (used with object)
to shorten (sail) by tying in one or more reefs.
to reduce the length of (a topmast, a bowsprit, etc.), as by lowering, sliding inboard, or the like.
to pull (old oakum) out of seams, as with a rave hook (often followed by out).
Origin of reef
2
1350–1400; Middle English
refe (noun) < Dutch
reef
OTHER WORDS FROM reef
un·reefed, adjectiveExample sentences from the Web for reef
British Dictionary definitions for reef (1 of 3)
reef
1
/ (riːf) /
noun
a ridge of rock, sand, coral, etc, the top of which lies close to the surface of the sea
a ridge- or mound-like structure built by sedentary calcareous organisms (esp corals) and consisting mainly of their remains
a vein of ore, esp one of gold-bearing quartz
Word Origin for reef
C16: from Middle Dutch
ref, from Old Norse
rif
rib
1,
reef ²
British Dictionary definitions for reef (2 of 3)
reef
2
/ (riːf) nautical /
noun
the part gathered in when sail area is reduced, as in a high wind
verb
to reduce the area of (sail) by taking in a reef
(tr)
to shorten or bring inboard (a spar)
Word Origin for reef
C14: from Middle Dutch
rif; related to Old Norse
rif reef,
rib
1, German
reffen to reef; see
reef
1
British Dictionary definitions for reef (3 of 3)
Reef
/ (riːf) /
noun the Reef
another name for the Great Barrier Reef
another name for the Witwatersrand
Scientific definitions for reef
reef
[ rēf ]
A strip or ridge of rocks, sand, or coral that rises to or near the surface of a body of water. See more at coral reef.