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

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.

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

From The Rival Crusoes by Kingston, William Henry Giles

“You can unreeve the tops’l halyards,” replied the captain, quietly.

From Saved by the Lifeboat by Ballantyne, R. M. (Robert Michael)

"The rope has swollen, sir, and the pendants won't unreeve," cried the middy in agony.

From A Simpleton by Reade, Charles

At last, as I had repeatedly warned him, the mate singled him out one morning, and commanded him to mount to the main-truck, and unreeve the short signal halyards.

From Redburn. His First Voyage by Melville, Herman