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
Words nearby reeve
reentering polygon,
reentrant,
reentry,
reentry vehicle,
reest,
reeve,
reexam,
reexamine,
reexport,
ref,
ref.
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