reeve Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun female ruff
  2. verb pass a rope through
    • reeve an opening
  3. verb pass through a hole or opening
    • reeve a rope
  4. verb fasten by passing through a hole or around something

WordNet

Reeve noun
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) The female of the ruff.
Reeve transitive verb
Etymology
Cf. D. reven. See Reef, n. & v. t.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Rove present participle & verbal noun Reeving
Definitions
  1. (Naut.) To pass, as the end of a pope, through any hole in a block, thimble, cleat, ringbolt, cringle, or the like.
Reeve noun
Etymology
OE. reve, AS. gerfa. Cf. Sheriff.
Definitions
  1. an officer, steward, bailiff, or governor; -- used chiefly in compounds; as, shirereeve, now written sheriff; portreeve, etc. Chaucer. Piers Plowman.

Webster 1913