reeve
1[ reev ]
/ riv /
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.
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Origin of reeve
1before 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)
reeve2
[ 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
21620–30; <Dutch reven to reef; see reef2
Definition for reeve (3 of 3)
reeve3
[ reev ]
/ riv /
noun
the female of the ruff, Philomachus pugnax.
Also called ree.
Origin of reeve
3First recorded in 1625–35; origin uncertain
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
British Dictionary definitions for reeve (1 of 3)
reeve1
/ (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)
reeve2
/ (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)
reeve3
/ (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
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