n. [ Akin to D. rif, G. riff, Icel. rif, Dan. rev; cf. Icel. rifa rift, rent, fissure, rifa to rive, bear. Cf. Rift, Rive. ]
Reef builder (Zool.),
Reef heron (Zool.),
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 to the force of the wind. [ 1913 Webster ]
☞ From the head to the first reef-band, in square sails, is termed the first reef; from this to the next is the second reef; and so on. In fore-and-aft sails, which reef on the foot, the first reef is the lowest part. Totten. [ 1913 Webster ]
Close reef,
Reef band.
Reef knot,
Reef line,
Reef points,
Reef tackle,
To take a reef in,
v. t.
To reef the paddles,
n. (Naut.) A piece of canvas sewed across a sail to strengthen it in the part where the eyelet holes for reefing are made. Totten. [ 1913 Webster ]
n.
n. (Naut.) The process of taking in a reef. [ 1913 Webster ]
Reefing bowsprit,
a. Full of reefs or rocks. [ 1913 Webster ]