~ 1
■ noun
1》 a ridge of jagged rock, coral, or sand just above or below the surface of the sea.
2》 a vein of gold or other ore.
Origin
C16 (earlier as riff ): from Mid. Low Ger. and MDu. rif , ref , from ON rif , lit. 'rib'; cf. ~ 2 .
————————
~ 2 Sailing
■ noun each of several strips across a sail which can be taken in or rolled up to reduce the area exposed to the wind.
■ verb take in one or more ~s of (a sail).
↘shorten (a topmast or a bowsprit).
Origin
ME: from MDu. ~ , rif , from ON rif , lit. 'rib'; cf. ~ 1 .