reef Hear it!

reef1 definition

reef (rēf)

noun

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

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

reef2 definition

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

  1. to reduce the size of (a sail) by taking in part of it
  2. to lower (a spar or mast) or reduce the projection of (a bowsprit)

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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