Webster's English Dictionary

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reef

1. reef \'re-f\ n [ME riff, fr. ON rif] 1: a part of a sail taken in or let 
   out in regulating size  2: reduction in sail area by reefing 
2. reef vt 1: to reduce the area of (a sail) by rolling or folding a 
   portion  2: to lower or bring inboard (a spar) wholly or partially  : to 
   reduce a sail by taking in a reef 
3. reef n [D rif, prob. of Scand origin; akin to ON rif reef of a sail] 1a: 
   a chain of rocks or ridge of sand at or near the surface of water  1b: a 
   hazardous obstruction  2: VEIN, LODE