reeve

[reev]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR reeve ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an administrative officer of a town or district.

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

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

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

Origin of reeve

before 900; Middle English (i)reve, Old English gerēfa high official, literally, head of a rōf array, number (of soldiers); cf. sheriff

reeve

[reev]

verb (used with object), rove or reeved, ro·ven or reeved, reev·ing. Nautical.

to pass (a rope or the like) through a hole, ring, or the like.

to fasten by placing through or around something.

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

Origin of reeve

1620–30; < Dutch reven to reef; see reef²

reeve

[reev]

noun

the female of the ruff, Philomachus pugnax.

Origin of reeve

First recorded in 1625–35; origin uncertain

Also called ree.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for reeve

waiter, attendant, administrator, curator, foreman, proctor, guardian, bailiff, director, manager, agent, magistrate, officer, seneschal, major-domo, purveyor, chamberlain, manciple

Examples from the Web for reeve

Contemporary Examples of reeve

Jam is there because of the sudden death of her boyfriend, Reeve, and the listless state of major depression it throws her into.
The Thrilling, Traumatic Lives of Teens: The Fall’s Best YA Fiction
Hugh Ryan
November 8, 2014
Reeve passed away after experiencing an adverse reaction to an antibiotic on Oct. 10, 2004.
Robin Williams and Christopher Reeve's Epic Friendship and the Greatest Williams Story Ever Told
Marlow Stern
August 12, 2014
“My friendship with Robin Williams is one of the real joys of my life,” said Reeve.
Robin Williams and Christopher Reeve's Epic Friendship and the Greatest Williams Story Ever Told
Marlow Stern
August 12, 2014
“As the day of the operation drew closer, it became more and more painful and frightening to contemplate,” wrote Reeve.
Robin Williams and Christopher Reeve's Epic Friendship and the Greatest Williams Story Ever Told
Marlow Stern
August 12, 2014
Williams was recently asked what his favorite memory was of Reeve during a very revealing Reddit AMA.
Robin Williams and Christopher Reeve's Epic Friendship and the Greatest Williams Story Ever Told
Marlow Stern
August 12, 2014

Historical Examples of reeve

Reeve probably thought it good; at all events, he said so; and he printed it in April.
The Education of Henry Adams
Henry Adams
We went to supper afterward to meet Catharine and Mr. Reeve.
Athalie
Robert W. Chambers
It is also the groove cut in a block for the ropes to reeve through.
The Sailor's Word-Book
William Henry Smyth
Both Muggleton and Reeve were imprisoned for their unitarian views.
A Budget of Paradoxes, Volume I (of II)
Augustus De Morgan
When it looked as if the stores would be wrecked, Reeve Marvin butted in.
Prescott of Saskatchewan
Harold Bindloss

British Dictionary definitions for reeve

reeve

noun

English history the local representative of the king in a shire (under the ealdorman) until the early 11th centuryCompare sheriff

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

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

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

Word Origin for reeve

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

reeve

verb reeves, reeving, reeved or rove (rəʊv) (tr) nautical

to pass (a rope or cable) through an eye or other narrow opening

to fasten by passing through or around something

Word Origin for reeve

C17: perhaps from Dutch rēven reef ²

reeve

noun

the female of the ruff (the bird)

Word Origin for reeve

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

Word Origin and History for reeve

"steward," Old English gerefa "king's officer," of unknown origin and with no known cognates. Not connected to German Graf (see margrave). An Anglo-Saxon official of high rank, having local jurisdiction under a king. Cf. sheriff.