reef

reef
I. noun Etymology: Middle English riff, from Old Norse rif; probably akin to Old Norse rīfa to rend — more at rive Date: 14th century 1. a part of a sail taken in or let out in regulating size 2. reduction in sail area by reefing II. verb Date: 1667 transitive verb 1. to reduce the area of (a sail) by rolling or folding a portion 2. to lower or bring inboard (a spar) wholly or partially intransitive verb to reduce a sail by taking in a reef • reefable adjective III. noun Etymology: Dutch rif, from Middle Dutch, from Old Norse, literally rib; akin to Old English ribb rib — more at rib Date: 1584 1. a. a chain of rocks or coral or a ridge of sand at or near the surface of water — compare atoll, barrier reef b. a hazardous obstruction 2. lode, vein • reefy adjective

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР
Synonyms:
(sail)


Look at other dictionaries:

  • Reef — Reef, n. [Akin to D. reef, G. reff, Sw. ref; cf. Icel. rif reef, rifa to basten together. Cf. {Reeve}, v. t., {River}.] (Naut.) That part of a sail which is taken in or let out by means of the reef points, in order to adapt the size of the sail… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Reef — (r[=e]f), n. [Akin to D. rif, G. riff, Icel. rif, Dan. rev; cf. Icel. rifa rift, rent, fissure, rifa to rive, bear. Cf. {Rift}, {Rive}.] 1. A chain or range of rocks lying at or near the surface of the water. See {Coral reefs}, under {Coral}.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Reef — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Reef puede referirse a: Reef, banda de rock de los 90. Reef, compañía de articulos para surfistas. Obtenido de Reef Categoría: Wikipedia:Desambiguación …   Wikipedia Español

  • Reef — (Петра,Греция) Категория отеля: Адрес: Petra, Петра, 81109, Греция Описание …   Каталог отелей

  • Reef — Reef, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Reefed} (r[=e]ft); p. pr. & vb. n. {Reefing}.] (Naut.) To reduce the extent of (as a sail) by rolling or folding a certain portion of it and making it fast to the yard or spar. Totten. [1913 Webster] {To reef the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • reef|er — reef|er1 «REE fuhr», noun. 1. a person who reefs. 2. a short coat of thick cloth, worn especially by sailors and fishermen. 3. Informal. a midshipman. 4. a long scarf or muffler. reef|er2 «REE fuhr», noun. U.S. Slang. a cigarette containing… …   Useful english dictionary

  • reef|y — «REE fee», adjective, reef|i|er, reef|i|est. 1. marked by reefs or rocks: »the reefy entrance to a harbor. 2. characterized by reefs: »a reefy coast …   Useful english dictionary

  • Reef — Allgemeine Informa …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • reef — [n] underwater or partially submerged ledge atoll, bank, bar, beach, cay, coral reef, ridge, rock, rock barrier, sand bar, shoal, skerry; concept 509 …   New thesaurus

  • Reef — Reef, 1) (Reefbanden), an den Segeln (mit Ausnahme der leichten, welche bloß bei mäßigem Winde geführt werden können, die man aber bei zunehmendem Winde sogleich bergen muß) eine Einrichtung, daß sie kleiner gemacht werden können; die Arbeit… …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Reef [1] — Reef, im Seewesen, soviel wie Reff (s. d.) …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

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