reeve

1
[ reev ]
/ riv /

noun

an administrative officer of a town or district.
British. an overseer or superintendent of workers, tenants, or an estate.
British. (formerly) a person of high rank representing the crown.
Canadian. the presiding officer of a village or town council.

Origin of reeve

1
before 900; Middle English ( i)reve, Old English gerēfa high official, literally, head of a rōf array, number (of soldiers); cf. sheriff

Definition for reeve (2 of 3)

reeve 2
[ reev ]
/ riv /

verb (used with object), rove or reeved, ro·ven or reeved, reev·ing. Nautical.

to pass (a rope or the like) through a hole, ring, or the like.
to fasten by placing through or around something.
to pass a rope through (the swallow of a block).

Origin of reeve

2
1620–30; < Dutch reven to reef; see reef2

Definition for reeve (3 of 3)

reeve 3
[ reev ]
/ riv /

noun

the female of the ruff, Philomachus pugnax.
Also called ree.

Origin of reeve

3
First recorded in 1625–35; origin uncertain

Example sentences from the Web for reeve

British Dictionary definitions for reeve (1 of 3)

reeve 1
/ (riːv) /

noun

English history the local representative of the king in a shire (under the ealdorman) until the early 11th century Compare sheriff
(in medieval England) a manorial steward who supervised the daily affairs of the manor: often a villein elected by his fellows
canadian government (in certain provinces) a president of a local council, esp in a rural area
(formerly) a minor local official in any of several parts of England and the US

Word Origin for reeve

Old English gerēva; related to Old High German ruova number, array

British Dictionary definitions for reeve (2 of 3)

reeve 2
/ (riːv) /

verb reeves, reeving, reeved or rove (rəʊv) (tr) nautical

to pass (a rope or cable) through an eye or other narrow opening
to fasten by passing through or around something

Word Origin for reeve

C17: perhaps from Dutch rēven reef ²

British Dictionary definitions for reeve (3 of 3)

reeve 3
/ (riːv) /

noun

the female of the ruff (the bird)

Word Origin for reeve

C17: of uncertain origin