reeve 1
/reev/ , n.
1. an administrative officer of a town or district.
2. Brit. an overseer or superintendent of workers, tenants, or an estate.
3. Brit. (formerly) a person of high rank representing the crown.
4. Canadian. the presiding officer of a village or town council.
[ bef. 900; ME ( i ) reve, OE gerefa high official, lit., head of a rof array, number (of soldiers); cf. SHERIFF ]
reeve 2
/reev/ , v.t., rove or reeved, reeving . Naut.
1. to pass (a rope or the like) through a hole, ring, or the like.
2. to fasten by placing through or around something.
3. to pass a rope through (the swallow of a block).
[ 1620-30; reven to reef; see REEF 2 ]
reeve 3
/reev/ , n.
the female of the ruff, Philomachus pugnax. Also called ree .
[ 1625-35; orig. uncert. ]