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.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of unreeve

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

Example Sentences

We had first to unreeve all the ropes, and unbend all the sails.

From Peter Trawl The Adventures of a Whaler by Durden, James

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

Jump down, all of you, and lend a hand and unreeve the halliards from the mast and bind her as tight as you can to the branches; pass the ropes under the thwarts.

From Captain Bayley's Heir: A Tale of the Gold Fields of California by Paget, H. M. (Henry Marriott)

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.

To unreeve the running part of top-sail sheets, &c., to let them run freely, or for harbour duty.

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