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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Reef \Reef\, n. [Akin to D. reef, G. reff, Sw. ref; cf. Icel.
rif reef, rifa to basten together. Cf. {Reeve}, v. t.,
{River}.] (Naut.)
That part of a sail which is taken in or let out by means of
the reef points, in order to adapt the size of the sail to
the force of the wind.
[1913 Webster]

Note: From the head to the first reef-band, in square sails,
is termed the first reef; from this to the next is the
second reef; and so on. In fore-and-aft sails, which
reef on the foot, the first reef is the lowest part.
--Totten.
[1913 Webster]

{Close reef}, the last reef that can be put in.

{Reef band}. See {Reef-band} in the Vocabulary.

{Reef knot}, the knot which is used in tying reef pointss.
See Illust. under {Knot}.

{Reef line}, a small rope formerly used to reef the courses
by being passed spirally round the yard and through the
holes of the reef. --Totten.

{Reef points}, pieces of small rope passing through the
eyelet holes of a reef-band, and used reefing the sail.

{Reef tackle}, a tackle by which the reef cringles, or rings,
of a sail are hauled up to the yard for reefing. --Totten.

{To take a reef in}, to reduce the size of (a sail) by
folding or rolling up a reef, and lashing it to the spar.
[1913 Webster]


Reef \Reef\ (r[=e]f), n. [Akin to D. rif, G. riff, Icel. rif,
Dan. rev; cf. Icel. rifa rift, rent, fissure, rifa to rive,
bear. Cf. {Rift}, {Rive}.]
1. A chain or range of rocks lying at or near the surface of
the water. See {Coral reefs}, under {Coral}.
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2. (Mining.) A large vein of auriferous quartz; -- so called
in Australia. Hence, any body of rock yielding valuable
ore.
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{Reef builder} (Zool.), any stony coral which contributes
material to the formation of coral reefs.

{Reef heron} (Zool.), any heron of the genus {Demigretta};
as, the blue reef heron ({Demigretta jugularis}) of
Australia.
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Reef \Reef\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Reefed} (r[=e]ft); p. pr. &
vb. n. {Reefing}.] (Naut.)
To reduce the extent of (as a sail) by rolling or folding a
certain portion of it and making it fast to the yard or spar.
--Totten.
[1913 Webster]

{To reef the paddles}, to move the floats of a paddle wheel
toward its center so that they will not dip so deeply.
[1913 Webster]