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 ]

☞ 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 ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Reefed 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 ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Mining.) A large vein of auriferous quartz; -- so called in Australia. Hence, any body of rock yielding valuable ore. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Naut.) A piece of canvas sewed across a sail to strengthen it in the part where the eyelet holes for reefing are made. Totten. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. (Naut.) One who reefs; -- a name often given to midshipmen. Marryat. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A close-fitting jacket or short coat of thick cloth. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A marijuana cigarette. [ Slang ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Naut.) The process of taking in a reef. [ 1913 Webster ]

Reefing bowsprit, a bowsprit so rigged that it can easily be run in or shortened by sliding inboard, as in cutters. [ 1913 Webster ]