reef

(noun, adjective, verb)

adjective

1. Scabby; scurvy.

noun

1. a submerged ridge of rock or coral near the surface of the water

Definition categories: object, ridge

2. a rocky region in the southern Transvaal in northeastern South Africa; contains rich gold deposits and coal and manganese

Similar word(s): rand

Definition categories: location

3. one of several strips across a sail that can be taken in or rolled up to lessen the area of the sail that is exposed to the wind

Definition categories: man–made, slip, strip

verb

1. lower and bring partially inboard

- reef the sailboat's mast

Definition categories: motion, lower

2. roll up (a portion of a sail) in order to reduce its area

Definition categories: change, furl

3. reduce (a sail) by taking in a reef

Definition categories: change, reduce, shrink

Sentences with reef as a verb:

- Reef the paddles.