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reeve - What does it mean?

Definition of 'reeve'

English

Etymology 1

Old English r?fa , an aphetism of ?er?fa.

Noun

(en-noun)
  • (historical) Any of several local officials, with varying responsibilities.
  • :* {{quote-book
    • |year=1999 |year_published= |edition= |editor=Judith McClure, Roger Collins |author=Bede |title=The Ecclesiastical History of the English People |chapter= citation |genre= |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780192838667 |page=99 |passage=His first convert was the reeve of the city of Lincoln call Blæcca, ... }}
  • (Canada) The president of a township or municipal district council.
  • (military|historical) A (l) but (l) commissioned (l) of the equivalent to (l).
  • * 1936 , The Periodical (), volumes 21–22, page 67
    • A list of new titles was manufactured as follows: Ensign'', ''Lieutenant'', ''Flight-Leader'', ''Squadron-Leader'', ''Reeve''''', ''Banneret'', ''Fourth-Ardian'', ''Third-Ardian'', ''Second-Ardian'', ''Ardian'', ''Air Marshal''. […] “' Reeve ”, perhaps, savoured a little too much of legal authority.

    Etymology 2

    Apparent alternate form of reef

    Verb

    (reev)
  • (nautical|dialect) To pass a rope through a hole or opening, especially so as to fasten it.
  • * 1930 , William Faulkner, As I Lay Dying , Library of America, 1985, p.98:
    • "Let the rope go," he says. With his other hand he reaches down and reeves the two turns from the stanchion.

    Etymology 3

    Noun

    (en-noun)
  • A female of the species Philomachus pugnax , a highly gregarious, medium-sized wading bird of Eurasia; the male is a ruff.

    • Similar to 'reeve'

    rape, rupee, rope, reave, rube, rave, rife, ripe, rive, rebbe, rove, robe, rappee, raphe, raphae, revue, reive, ribbie, rafie, roofe, roave, rewove, ruffe, rype, roofie, ribeye, rufie, rapee, reve, revie, rhaphe, rewipe