I. ˈrēv noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English reve, ireve, from Old English gerēfa, from ge- (perfective, associative, and collective prefix) + -rēfa (from Old English -rōf number, array); akin to Old High German ruova number, array — more at co-
1. : a local administrative agent of the king in Anglo-Saxon times having a position and function similar to that of the bailiff under the Norman kings
away from court, the king's estates were managed by resident reeves, who also collected the dues which the king's subjects owed — R.F.Treharne
— see portreeve ; compare sheriff
2. : an officer on a medieval English manor originally chosen by the villeins to represent their interests but later becoming the lord's agent associated with the bailiff and responsible for maintaining order and overseeing the discharge of feudal obligations (as rents)
3.
a. : the chief magistrate of a town ; specifically : the president of the council in rural municipalities and in some villages in central and western Canada
b. : an official charged with the enforcement of local regulations in various English and American communities
field reeve
deer reeve
— see hogreeve ; compare warden
II. verb
( rove ˈrōv ; or reeved ; rove or reeved ; reeving ; reeves )
Etymology: origin unknown
transitive verb
1.
a. : to pass (as the end of a rope) through a hole or opening in a block, thimble, cleat, ringbolt, cringle, or similar device
b. : to fasten by passing through a hole or around something — usually used with on, about, to, around, over
they rove a rope over the yard
c. : to pass a rope through
reeve a block
2. : to pass cautiously through : thread
the ship reeved the shoals
intransitive verb
of a rope : to pass through a block or similar device
two strong lines reeving through ringbolts on the deck head — Peter Heaton
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: probably alteration of ruff
: the female of the ruff