greeve

English

Etymology 1

From Middle English gryve, grayve, from Old Norse greifi (“a count, earl, steward”), akin to (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Swedish and Danish greve (“a count, earl”), Old English ġerēfa (“reeve”). More at reeve.

Alternative forms

• greave, grieve

Noun

greeve (plural greeves)

1. (UK dialectal) A reeve; steward.

Derived terms

• greeveship

Etymology 2

From Middle English greve, grayve, from Old French greve (“shin”), of unknown origin.

Alternative forms

• greave

Noun

greeve (plural greeves)

1. Armor for the shins, and occasionally the tops of the feet.
   • 1786, Francis Grose, A Treatise on Ancient Armour and Weapons, page 22:

     For the defence of the legs were worn a sort of iron boots, called Greeves.

Anagrams

• vergée