reef

reef (rēf)

noun

a line or ridge of rock, coral, or sand lying at or near the surface of the water
Mining a bed or vein of ore; lode

Etymology: prob. via Du or MLowG rif < ON, lit., rib

reef (rēf)

noun

Naut. a part of a sail which can be folded or rolled up and made fast to reduce the area exposed to the wind, as during a storm

Etymology: ME riff < or akin to ON rif (< IE *reip-, a strip < base *rei-, to tear, cut > rive): orig. used of cords for reefing

transitive verb

ridge, shoal, bar, sand bar, rock, bank, beach, coral reef, atoll, ledge, rock barrier. See syn. study at shoal.shoal.

Object

mainsail: Among the three that stay in the deeper water is V.Ships, at this stage sailing with a reefed mainsail.

Converse of object

fringe: There are over 100 dive sites around the island and the fringing reef provides fantastic snorkeling.

Adjective modifier

coral: Compared with coral reefs, vast swathes of the ocean appeared to be devoid of life.
pristine: A new unspoiled destination with pristine coral reefs close to the shore, perfect for a relaxing break.
biogenic: Various forms of biogenic reef have also been selected.
artificial: The package should also fund Britain's first artificial surf reef.
submerged: Entire islands were created, perhaps starting from a mangrove base or a submerged reef.
rocky: Below the sea surface, kelp forests, sea caves, and rocky reefs are found, all supporting a wealth of marine life.

Modifies a noun

shark: What a dive Dolphins, White tip reef shark, safety stops swimming along the reef wall.
aquarium: Both the absolute concentrations and the concentrations of these elements relative to each other change rapidly in the reef aquarium.
knot: In all cases, the ties are tied with a reef knot, designed a ' purpose.
fish: Virtually every species of Red Sea reef fish can be found here.
ecosystem: Professor Mumby is distinguished for his contributions to our understanding of coral reef ecosystems.
fisher: Better job by yalta odessa heraklion first rci ship the reef fishers.

Noun used with modifier

cold-water: They are often seen in and around the deep, cold-water coral reefs west of Norway and Britain.
white-tip: Although rare, you might even spot the white-tip reef shark or the larger gray reef shark.
coral: The reef is alive with a vibrant living coral reef.
whitetip: Saw a small whitetip reef shark on entering the water.
black-tip: On one occasion a black-tip reef shark took an unhealthy interest in one of the team's fins.
Scylla: The National Marine Aquarium's Scylla diving reef is still proving very popular nearly a year and a half after it was sunk.

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