| 释义 |
reef
I. \ˈrēf\ noun
(-s)
Etymology: Middle English riff, from Old Norse rif; probably akin to Old English rāw row — more at row
1. : a part of a sail that is taken in or let out by means of the reef points in order to regulate the size of the sail : a strip of sail set off by a reef band
2. : the reduction in area of a sail by reefing
II. verb
(-ed/-ing/-s)
transitive verb
1.
a. : to reduce the area of (a sail) by rolling or folding a portion at the head (as of a square sail) or at the foot (as of a fore-and-aft sail) and securing to the yard or spar with reef points
b. : to lower or bring inboard (a spar) wholly or partially
< reef the topmast >
2. : to move the floats of (a paddle wheel) toward the center so that they will not dip so deeply
3. : to roll or fold up in the manner of a sail
< reef a parachute >
intransitive verb
1. : to reduce a sail by taking in a reef
2. slang : to pick a pocket especially by drawing up the lining
•
- reef one's sails
III. noun
(-s)
Etymology: earlier riff, from Dutch rif, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse rif reef of a sail
1.
a.
(1) : a chain or range of rocks or ridge of sand lying at or near the surface of the water; especially : one where there is not more than six fathoms at low water — see barrier reef, coral reef, fringing reef, sand reef; compare bank, shoal
(2) : a hazardous obstruction to the achievement of an objective
< helped themselves over early financial reefs by working in the … store — W.F.Longgood >
b. : a sedimentary rock or part thereof composed almost or exclusively of the remains of reef-building organisms : bioherm
2.
a. : a deposit of ore : vein, lode
b. : the barren rock and shale surrounding the diamondiferous rock in the diamond mines of southern Africa
3. : reef sponge
IV. noun
(-s)
Etymology: Middle English ref, reof rough, scabby, from Old English hrēof rough, scabby, leprous — more at dandruff
dialect Britain : an eruption on the skin : itch |