reef 1  (rēf) 
n. 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.
[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
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.
[Middle English riff, from Old Norse rif, ridge, reef.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Science Dictionary
reef (rēf) Pronunciation Key
A strip or ridge of rocks, sand, or coral that rises to or near the surface of a body of water. See more at coral reef.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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