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reef

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Reef is defined as a ridge of coral, alga, sand or rock close to the surface of the water in the ocean.

(noun)

An example of a reef is the Great Barrier Reef which was formed when the sea levels rose, flooding the continental shelf of Australia, allowing the coral that were growing on the edges of the shelf to grow and begin form the reef.

The definition of a reef is part of a boat's sail that can be rolled and tied to cut down on wind resistance.

(noun)

An example of a reef is the rolled up part of a sail during a storm at sea.

See reef in Webster's New World College Dictionary

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

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

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

Origin: 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

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

See reef in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A strip or ridge of rocks, sand, or coral that rises to or near the surface of a body of water.
A vein of ore.

Origin:

Origin: Obsolete Dutch rif

Origin: , possibly from Old Norse, ridge

Related Forms:

reefˈy adjective

noun

A portion of a sail rolled and tied down to lessen the area exposed to the wind.

transitive verb reefed, reef·ing, reefs

To reduce the size of (a sail) by tucking in a part and tying it to or rolling it around a yard.
To shorten (a topmast or bowsprit) by taking part of it in.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English riff

Origin: , from Old Norse rif, ridge, reef

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