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reeve

 - 7 dictionary results

reeve

1  [reev]
Use reeve in a Sentence
–noun
1. an administrative officer of a town or district.
2. British. an overseer or superintendent of workers, tenants, or an estate.
3. British. (formerly) a person of high rank representing the crown.
4. Canadian. the presiding officer of a village or town council.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME (i)reve, OE gerēfa high official, lit., head of a rōf array, number (of soldiers); cf. sheriff

reeve

2  [reev]
–verb (used with object), rove or reeved, ro⋅ven or reeved, reev⋅ing. Nautical.
1. to pass (a rope or the like) through a hole, ring, or the like.
2. to fasten by placing through or around something.
3. to pass a rope through (the swallow of a block).
Origin:
1620–30; < D reven to reef; see reef 2

reeve

3  [reev]
–noun
the female of the ruff, Philomachus pugnax.
Also called ree.

Origin:
1625–35; orig. uncert.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To reeve
reeve 1   (rēv)   
n.  

  1. The elected president of a town council in some parts of Canada.

  2. Any of various minor officers of parishes or other local authorities.

  3. A bailiff or steward of a manor in the later medieval period.

  4. A high officer of local administration appointed by the Anglo-Saxon kings.


[Middle English, from Old English gerēfa.]
reeve 2   (rēv)   
tr.v.   reeved or rove (rōv), reev·ing, reeves Nautical

  1. To pass (a rope or rod) through a hole, ring, pulley, or block.

  2. To fasten by passing through or around.

  3. To pass a rope or rod through (a hole, ring, pulley, or block).


[Origin unknown.]
reeve 3   (rēv)   
n.  The female ruff.

[Probably alteration of ruff1.]
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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Word Origin & History

reeve 
"steward," O.E. gerefa, of unknown origin and with no known cognates. An Anglo-Saxon official of high rank, having local jurisdiction under a king. Cf. sheriff.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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