Reef line

Reef line
Reef Reef, n. [Akin to D. reef, G. reff, Sw. ref; cf. Icel. rif reef, rifa to basten together. Cf. {Reeve}, v. t., {River}.] (Naut.) That part of a sail which is taken in or let out by means of the reef points, in order to adapt the size of the sail to the force of the wind. [1913 Webster]

Note: From the head to the first reef-band, in square sails, is termed the first reef; from this to the next is the second reef; and so on. In fore-and-aft sails, which reef on the foot, the first reef is the lowest part. --Totten. [1913 Webster]

{Close reef}, the last reef that can be put in.

{Reef band}. See {Reef-band} in the Vocabulary.

{Reef knot}, the knot which is used in tying reef pointss. See Illust. under {Knot}.

{Reef line}, a small rope formerly used to reef the courses by being passed spirally round the yard and through the holes of the reef. --Totten.

{Reef points}, pieces of small rope passing through the eyelet holes of a reef-band, and used reefing the sail.

{Reef tackle}, a tackle by which the reef cringles, or rings, of a sail are hauled up to the yard for reefing. --Totten.

{To take a reef in}, to reduce the size of (a sail) by folding or rolling up a reef, and lashing it to the spar. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • reef line — noun : reef point …   Useful english dictionary

  • Reef (band) — Reef Reef playing at Glastonbury 2010. Background information Origin Glastonbury, England Genres …   Wikipedia

  • Reef — Reef, n. [Akin to D. reef, G. reff, Sw. ref; cf. Icel. rif reef, rifa to basten together. Cf. {Reeve}, v. t., {River}.] (Naut.) That part of a sail which is taken in or let out by means of the reef points, in order to adapt the size of the sail… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Reef band — Reef Reef, n. [Akin to D. reef, G. reff, Sw. ref; cf. Icel. rif reef, rifa to basten together. Cf. {Reeve}, v. t., {River}.] (Naut.) That part of a sail which is taken in or let out by means of the reef points, in order to adapt the size of the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Reef knot — Reef Reef, n. [Akin to D. reef, G. reff, Sw. ref; cf. Icel. rif reef, rifa to basten together. Cf. {Reeve}, v. t., {River}.] (Naut.) That part of a sail which is taken in or let out by means of the reef points, in order to adapt the size of the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Reef points — Reef Reef, n. [Akin to D. reef, G. reff, Sw. ref; cf. Icel. rif reef, rifa to basten together. Cf. {Reeve}, v. t., {River}.] (Naut.) That part of a sail which is taken in or let out by means of the reef points, in order to adapt the size of the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Reef tackle — Reef Reef, n. [Akin to D. reef, G. reff, Sw. ref; cf. Icel. rif reef, rifa to basten together. Cf. {Reeve}, v. t., {River}.] (Naut.) That part of a sail which is taken in or let out by means of the reef points, in order to adapt the size of the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • reef knot — noun a square knot used in a reef line • Syn: ↑flat knot • Hypernyms: ↑square knot • Hyponyms: ↑granny knot, ↑granny * * * noun : a square knot used in tying reef points …   Useful english dictionary

  • Line Islands — [līn] group of coral atolls of Kiribati in the central Pacific, south of Hawaii, formerly divided between the U.S. and Great Britain * * * Chain of islands, central Pacific Ocean, south of the Hawaiian Islands. The Line Islands extend 1,600 mi (2 …   Universalium

  • reef — [ rif ] noun count * a long line of rock or CORAL in the sea, with its top just below or just above the surface …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

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