1. n.1 hist. a the chief magistrate of a town or district. b an official supervising a landowner's estate. c any of various minor local officials.
2 Can. the president of a village or town council.
Etymology: OE (ge)refa, giroefa 2. v.tr. (past rove or reeved) Naut.
1. (usu. foll. by through) thread (a rope or rod etc.) through a ring or other aperture.
2 pass a rope through (a block etc.).
3 fasten (a rope or block) in this way.
Etymology: prob. f. Du. reven REEF(2) 3. n. a female ruff (see RUFF(1)).
Etymology: 17th c.: orig. unkn.