reeve

See also: Reeve

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɹiːv/
• Rhymes: -iːv
• Homophone: reave

Etymology 1

From Middle English reve, from Old English rēfa, an aphetism of ġerēfa (also groefa), perhaps dissimilated from Proto-Germanic *grēfijô (“officer, official”). Compare Danish greve, Swedish greve, Dutch graaf, German Graf. Role, and later word, mostly replaced by bailiff, of Anglo-Norman origin.

Noun

reeve (plural reeves)

1. (historical) Any of several local officials, with varying responsibilities.
   • 1999, Bede, edited by Judith McClure, Roger Collins, The Ecclesiastical History of the English People‎^[1], Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 99:

     His first convert was the reeve of the city of Lincoln call Blæcca, ...

2. (Canada) The president of a township or municipal district council.
3. (military, historical) The holder of a proposed but unadopted commissioned rank of the Royal Air Force, equivalent to wing commander.
   • 1936, The Periodical (Oxford University Press), 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.

Synonyms

• (medieval official): provost

Related terms

• sheriff

See also

• bailiff

Translations

Translations

• Dutch: graaf (nl) m
• German: Graf (de) m
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• Latin: praepositus; praepositus villae

Etymology 2

Apparent alternative form of reef (“to pull or yank strongly”, verb) or from Dutch reven (“to take in, insert”).

Verb

1. (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

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Noun

reeve (plural reeves)

2. A female of the species Philomachus pugnax, a highly gregarious, medium-sized wading bird of Eurasia; the male is a ruff.

Anagrams

• evere

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Middle English

Etymology 1

From Old English rēfa.

Noun

reeve

1. Alternative form of reve

Etymology 2

From Old English rēafian.

Verb

reeve

1. Alternative form of reven