Definition of "reef" in Anglais

noun

1. A chain or range of rocks, sand, or coral lying at or near the surface of the water.

2. (Australia, South Africa) A large vein of auriferous quartz; hence, any body of rock yielding valuable ore.

noun

1. (nautical) A portion of a sail rolled and tied down to lessen the area exposed in a high wind.

2. A reef knot.

verb

1. (nautical) To take in part of a sail in order to adapt the size of the sail to the force of the wind.

   • 1970 July–December, Margaret Quilty, Roller Reefing Made Easy, Boating, page 63, Be sure the blocks are securely mounted—they carry a fairish load when the sail is reefed. If both reefing line and main halyard are led to the cockpit, even singlehanded reefing is a breeze.

2. (Australia) To pull or yank strongly, especially in relation to horse riding.

3. (nautical, of paddles) To move the floats of a paddle wheel toward its center so that they will not dip so deeply.

   • Reef the paddles.

4. (slang) To manipulate the lining of a person's pocket in order to steal the contents unnoticed.

   • This was done by "reefing." He put two fingers just inside the opening and lifted the lining a trifle. Although I watched his hands, I could feel nothing, so gently did his fingers work. Reefing a couple of times, he lifted my handkerchief, as he might have taken out anything else.

adjective

1. Scabby; scurvy.

noun

1. (Now chiefly dialectal) The itch; any eruptive skin disorder.

2. (Now chiefly dialectal) Dandruff.