n.
Pronunciation: ' r ē ch
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English rechen, from Old English r ǣ can; akin to Old High German reichen to reach, Lithuanian rai ž ytis to stretch oneself
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1 a : to stretch out : EXTEND b : THRUST
2 a : to touch or grasp by extending a part of the body (as a hand) or an object <couldn't reach the apple> b : to pick up and draw toward one : TAKE c (1) : to extend to <the shadow reach ed the wall> (2) : to get up to or as far as : come to <your letter reach ed me yesterday> <his voice reach ed the last rows> <they hoped to reach an agreement> d (1) : ENCOMPASS (2) : to make an impression on (3) : to communicate with
3 : to hand over : PASS
intransitive verb
1 a : to make a stretch with or as if with one's hand b : to strain after something
2 a : PROJECT , EXTEND <his land reach es to the river> b : to arrive at or come to something <as far as the eye could reach >
3 : to sail on a reach
– reach · able \ ' r ē -ch ə -b ə l \ adjective
– reach · er noun