reeve

[ reev ]

/ riv /

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.

Nearby words

reentering polygon, reentrant, reentry, reentry vehicle, reest, reeve, reexam, reexamine, reexport, ref, ref.

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

Definition for reeve (2 of 3)

reeve

[ reev ]

/ riv /

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

Definition for reeve (3 of 3)

reeve

[ reev ]

/ riv /

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

Examples from the Web for 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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
“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|DAILY BEAST
“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|DAILY BEAST

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|DAILY BEAST
The letters with which Mr. Reeve has favored me give glimpses of how ideas and calls came to her sometimes.
Harriet Martineau|Florence Fenwick Miller
He wold pull downe my hales and castles, And reeve me of my life.
A Book of Ballads, Volume 1|Various
I brought it on deck, and began to reeve laniards for the shrouds.
Jack in the Forecastle|John Sherburne Sleeper
There the party landed, and after looking at the country Mr. Reeve decided to take up his special survey there.
The Book of the Bush|George Dunderdale
There, too, the good wife of the reeve cared for the maiden as if she were her own daughter, and I saw her no more that night.
A King's Comrade|Charles Whistler

British Dictionary definitions for reeve (1 of 3)

reeve

/ (riːv) /

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

British Dictionary definitions for reeve (2 of 3)

reeve

/ (riːv) /

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

British Dictionary definitions for reeve (3 of 3)

reeve

/ (riːv) /

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