I. ˈrēch verb
Etymology: Middle English rechen, from Old English rǣcan; akin to Old High German reichen to reach, Lithuanian raižytis 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 ˈrē-chə-bəl adjective
• reach·er noun
II. noun
Date: 1536
1. : a continuous stretch or expanse ; especially : a straight portion of a stream or river
2.
a.
(1) : the action or an act of reaching
(2) : an individual part of a progression or journey
b.
(1) : a reachable distance
within reach
(2) : ability to reach
had a long reach
c. : an extent or range especially of knowledge or comprehension
3. : a bearing shaft or coupling pole ; especially : the rod joining the hind axle to the forward bolster of a wagon
4. : the tack sailed by a ship with the wind coming just forward of the beam or with the wind directly abeam or abaft the beam
5. : echelon , level — usually used in plural
the upper reach es of academia