reeve

1
[ reev ]
See synonyms for reeve on Thesaurus.com
nounGovernment.
  1. an administrative officer of a town or district.

  2. British. an overseer or superintendent of workers, tenants, or an estate.

  1. British. (formerly) a person of high rank representing the crown.

  2. Canadian. the presiding officer of a village or town council.

Origin of reeve

1
First recorded before 900; Middle English (i)reve, refe, reive “royal administrative or judicial officer,” Old English gerēfa “high royal offiicial, fiscal officer, prefect”; further origin uncertain; cf. sheriff

Other definitions for reeve (2 of 3)

reeve2
[ 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.

  1. to pass a rope through (the swallow of a block).

Origin of reeve

2
First recorded in 1600–10; of uncertain origin; perhaps from Dutch reven “to reef”; see reef2

Other definitions for reeve (3 of 3)

reeve3
[ reev ]

noun
  1. the female of the ruff, Philomachus pugnax.

Origin of reeve

3
First recorded in 1625–35; origin uncertain
  • Also called ree .

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use reeve in a sentence

  • I to Mr. Reeves to see a microscope, he having been with me to-day morning, and there chose one which I will have.

  • He motioned toward Judge Reeves, who looked suddenly uncomfortable.

    The Way of a Man | Emerson Hough
  • Judge Reeves was a tall, thin man, whose long hair and beard were silvery white, yet his stature was erect and vigorous.

    The Way of a Man | Emerson Hough
  • Ive a friend, by the way, fellow named Reeves, who said hed take a couple of pairs.

    The Arrival of Jimpson | Ralph Henry Barbour
  • There came a resounding thump on the door, and, without waiting a response, Chick Reeves bounded in.

    The Arrival of Jimpson | Ralph Henry Barbour

British Dictionary definitions for reeve (1 of 3)

reeve1

/ (riːv) /


noun
  1. English history the local representative of the king in a shire (under the ealdorman) until the early 11th century: Compare sheriff

  2. (in medieval England) a manorial steward who supervised the daily affairs of the manor: often a villein elected by his fellows

  1. canadian government (in certain provinces) a president of a local council, esp in a rural area

  2. (formerly) a minor local official in any of several parts of England and the US

Origin of reeve

1
Old English gerēva; related to Old High German ruova number, array

British Dictionary definitions for reeve (2 of 3)

reeve2

/ (riːv) /


verbreeves, reeving, reeved or rove (rəʊv) (tr) nautical
  1. to pass (a rope or cable) through an eye or other narrow opening

  2. to fasten by passing through or around something

Origin of reeve

2
C17: perhaps from Dutch rēven reef ²

British Dictionary definitions for reeve (3 of 3)

reeve3

/ (riːv) /


noun
  1. the female of the ruff (the bird)

Origin of reeve

3
C17: of uncertain origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012