51Թ

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View synonyms for

reef

1

[reef]

noun

  1. a ridge of rocks or sand, often of coral debris, at or near the surface of the water.

  2. Mining.a lode or vein.



reef

2

[reef]

noun

  1. a part of a sail that is rolled and tied down to reduce the area exposed to the wind.

verb (used with object)

  1. to shorten (sail) by tying in one or more reefs.

  2. to reduce the length of (a topmast, a bowsprit, etc.), as by lowering, sliding inboard, or the like.

  3. to pull (old oakum) out of seams, as with a rave hook (often followed byout ).

reef

1

/ ː /

noun

  1. a ridge of rock, sand, coral, etc, the top of which lies close to the surface of the sea

  2. a ridge- or mound-like structure built by sedentary calcareous organisms (esp corals) and consisting mainly of their remains

  3. a vein of ore, esp one of gold-bearing quartz

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

reef

2

/ ː /

noun

  1. the part gathered in when sail area is reduced, as in a high wind

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to reduce the area of (sail) by taking in a reef

  2. (tr) to shorten or bring inboard (a spar)

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Reef

3

/ ː /

noun

  1. another name for the Great Barrier Reef

  2. another name for the Witwatersrand

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

reef

  1. A strip or ridge of rocks, sand, or coral that rises to or near the surface of a body of water.

  2. See more at coral reef

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Other 51Թ Forms

  • unreefed adjective
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of reef1

1575–85; earlier riff ( e ) < Dutch rif

Origin of reef2

1350–1400; Middle English refe (noun) < Dutch reef
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of reef1

C16: from Middle Dutch ref , from Old Norse rif rib 1 , reef ²

Origin of reef2

C14: from Middle Dutch rif ; related to Old Norse rif reef, rib 1 , German reffen to reef; see reef 1
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Aerial images show forest loss and sediment run-off into waters that are home to biodiverse coral reefs.

From

Titan took passengers on three more dives in the summer of 2022 - two to the Titanic and one to a nearby reef, before it failed on its next deep dive, in June 2023.

From

In some parts of the world - including Australia, the US and the Pacific - marine heatwaves can destroy coral reefs or local fisheries, as well as vital seagrass meadows.

From

The militaries of both countries are much smaller than China's, but they are holding on to a handful of reefs and islands.

From

Using underwater footage, it will explore the major threats to our oceans, from destructive fishing techniques to mass coral reef bleaching.

From

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