unreeve

American  

[uhn-reev] / ʌnˈriv /

verb (used with object)

unrove, unreeved, unroven, unreeved, unreeving

1. Nautical. to withdraw (a rope) from a block, thimble, etc.

---

verb (used without object)

unrove, unreeved, unroven, unreeved, unreeving

1. to unreeve a rope.

2. (of a rope) to become unreeved.

unreeve British  

/ ʌnˈriːv /

verb

1. nautical to withdraw (a rope) from a block, thimble, etc

---

Etymology

Origin of unreeve

First recorded in 1590–1600; un- ² + reeve ²

Example Sentences

On examining it he found that he could unreeve some of the rope.

From The Rival Crusoes by Kingston, William Henry Giles

To pass the end of a rope through any cavity or aperture, as the channel of a block; to unreeve is the opposite.

From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Belcher, Edward, Sir

But he carried all sail till the rotten main-sheet parted at the boom, and when he came up in the wind to lower the sail the main throat halyard refused to unreeve.

From Dick in the Everglades by Dimock, A. W.

Lower them down and let the falls unreeve, so that they will go adrift.

From The Wreck of the Titan or, Futility by Robertson, Morgan

I was busy in helping to unreeve the stay, when I was seized with sudden and violent cramps.

From Ned Myers or, a Life Before the Mast by Cooper, James Fenimore