reeve

¹

[ reev ]

noun

, Government.

1. an administrative officer of a town or district.
2. British. an overseer or superintendent of workers, tenants, or an estate.
3. British. (formerly) a person of high rank representing the crown.
4. Canadian. the presiding officer of a village or town council.

reeve

²

[ reev ]

verb (used with object)

, Nautical.

, rove or reeved, ro·ven or reeved, reev·ing.

1. to pass (a rope or the like) through a hole, ring, or the like.
2. to fasten by placing through or around something.
3. to pass a rope through (the swallow of a block).

reeve

³

[ reev ]

noun

1. the female of the ruff, Philomachus pugnax.

reeve

¹

/ riːv /

noun

1. the female of the ruff (the bird)

reeve

²

/ riːv /

verb

1. to pass (a rope or cable) through an eye or other narrow opening
2. to fasten by passing through or around something

reeve

³

/ riːv /

noun

1. English history the local representative of the king in a shire (under the ealdorman) until the early 11th century Compare sheriff
2. (in medieval England) a manorial steward who supervised the daily affairs of the manor: often a villein elected by his fellows
3. canadian government (in certain provinces) a president of a local council, esp in a rural area
4. (formerly) a minor local official in any of several parts of England and the US

Word History and Origins

Origin of reeve¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English (i)reve, refe, reive “royal administrative or judicial officer,” Old English gerēfa “high royal offiicial, fiscal officer, prefect”; further origin uncertain; sheriff

Origin of reeve²

First recorded in 1600–10; of uncertain origin; perhaps from Dutch reven “to reef”; reef ²

Origin of reeve³

First recorded in 1625–35; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of reeve¹

C17: of uncertain origin

Origin of reeve²

C17: perhaps from Dutch rēven reef ²

Origin of reeve³

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

Example Sentences

Jam is there because of the sudden death of her boyfriend, Reeve, and the listless state of major depression it throws her into.

From The Daily Beast

Reeve passed away after experiencing an adverse reaction to an antibiotic on Oct. 10, 2004.

From The Daily Beast

“My friendship with Robin Williams is one of the real joys of my life,” said Reeve.

From The Daily Beast

“As the day of the operation drew closer, it became more and more painful and frightening to contemplate,” wrote Reeve.

From The Daily Beast

Williams was recently asked what his favorite memory was of Reeve during a very revealing Reddit AMA.

From The Daily Beast

The individual buried here was Robert Reeve, who died in 1626, aged fifty-six.

From Project Gutenberg

Ralph, who was assisting to reeve a new block at the foretop, saw that the fog was almost at hand.

From Project Gutenberg

But all I could see was the form of my tall aunt couched half-moonwise in Elton Reeve's lap.

From Project Gutenberg

John Reeve bought largely of the books; but before two months had elapsed Reeve himself was no more.

From Project Gutenberg

Answering to the Saxon reeve; in towns mayor or baillie, of lesser importance than a posadnik.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• administrator
• attendant
• curator
• waiter