[reef] 
| 1. | a ridge of rocks or sand, often of coral debris, at or near the surface of the water. |
| 2. | Mining. a lode or vein. |
[reef] Nautical| 1. | a part of a sail that is rolled and tied down to reduce the area exposed to the wind. |
| 2. | to shorten (sail) by tying in one or more reefs. |
| 3. | to reduce the length of (a topmast, a bowsprit, etc.), as by lowering, sliding inboard, or the like. |
| 4. | to pull (old oakum) out of seams, as with a rave hook (often fol. by out). |
| reef 1 (rēf) n.
[Obsolete Dutch rif, possibly from Old Norse, ridge.] reef'y adj. |
| reef 2 (rēf) n. A portion of a sail rolled and tied down to lessen the area exposed to the wind. tr.v. reefed, reef·ing, reefs
[Middle English riff, from Old Norse rif, ridge, reef.] |
reefer
[ˈrifɚ]
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