reeve

reeve
Ruff Ruff, n. [Of uncertain origin: cf. Icel. r[umc]finn rough, uncombed, Pr. ruf rude, rough, Sp. rufo frizzed, crisp, curled, G. raufen to pluck, fight, rupfen to pluck, pull, E. rough. [root]18. Cf. {Ruffle} to wrinkle.] 1. A muslin or linen collar plaited, crimped, or fluted, worn formerly by both sexes, now only by women and children. [1913 Webster]

Here to-morrow with his best ruff on. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

His gravity is much lessened since the late proclamation came out against ruffs; . . . they were come to that height of excess herein, that twenty shillings were used to be paid for starching of a ruff. --Howell. [1913 Webster]

2. Something formed with plaits or flutings, like the collar of this name. [1913 Webster]

I reared this flower; . . . Soft on the paper ruff its leaves I spread. --Pope. [1913 Webster]

3. An exhibition of pride or haughtiness. [1913 Webster]

How many princes . . . in the ruff of all their glory, have been taken down from the head of a conquering army to the wheel of the victor's chariot! --L'Estrange. [1913 Webster]

4. Wanton or tumultuous procedure or conduct. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

To ruffle it out in a riotous ruff. --Latimer. [1913 Webster]

5. (Mil.) A low, vibrating beat of a drum, not so loud as a roll; a ruffle. [1913 Webster]

6. (Mach.) A collar on a shaft ot other piece to prevent endwise motion. See Illust. of {Collar}. [1913 Webster]

7. (Zo["o]l.) A set of lengthened or otherwise modified feathers round, or on, the neck of a bird. [1913 Webster]

8. (Zo["o]l.) (a) A limicoline bird of Europe and Asia ({Pavoncella pugnax}, syn. {Philomachus pugnax}) allied to the sandpipers. The males during the breeding season have a large ruff of erectile feathers, variable in their colors, on the neck, and yellowish naked tubercles on the face. They are polygamous, and are noted for their pugnacity in the breeding season. The female is called {reeve}, or {rheeve}. (b) A variety of the domestic pigeon, having a ruff of its neck. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Reeve — may refer to: *Reeve (England), an official elected annually by the serfs to supervise lands for a lord *Reeve (Canada), an elected chief executive in some small rural municipalities, although the position is called Mayor in most municipalities… …   Wikipedia

  • Reeve — (auch Bailif , deutsch Vogt , frz. Bailiare ) ist ein englischer Familienname. Er stammt aus dem normannisch geprägten England, wo der Reeve ein Vertreter des Earl (Graf) war, der Verwalter, Steuereintreiber und Schöffe (Ankläger und Richter)… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Reeve — (r?v), n. (Zo[ o]l.) The female of the ruff. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Reeve — Reeve, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Rove} (r?v); p. pr. & vb. n. {Reeving}.] [Cf. D. reven. See {Reef}, n. & v. t.] (Naut.) To pass, as the end of a pope, through any hole in a block, thimble, cleat, ringbolt, cringle, or the like. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Reeve — Reeve, n. [OE. reve, AS. ger[=e]fa. Cf. {Sheriff}.] an officer, steward, bailiff, or governor; used chiefly in compounds; as, shirereeve, now written sheriff; portreeve, etc. Chaucer. Piers Plowman. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Reeve — (spr. Rihw), Clara, geb. 1725 zu Ipswich in Suffolk, Tochter eines Pfarrers; st. 1803; sie übersetzte Barclay s Argenis unter dem Titel: Der Phönix, 1762, u. schr. die Romane: Der Jugendheld, 1777; Die beiden Erzieher; Die Verbannung, od.… …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Reeve —   [riːv], Clara, englische Schriftstellerin, * Ipswich 23. 1. 1729, ✝ ebenda 3. 12. 1807; beeinflusst von H. Walpoles »The castle of Otranto« verfasste sie Schauerromane (Gothic Novel), die zu den wichtigsten der Gattung gehören (z. B. »The… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • reeve — [ri:v] n [: Old English; Origin: gerefa] 1.) the official who is in charge of the town governments in some Canadian ↑provinces 2.) an English law officer in the past …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • reeve — [ riv ] noun count 1. ) the president of a town council in Canada 2. ) someone whose job was to look after a large house in Britain in MEDIEVAL times …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • reeve — steward, O.E. gerefa, of unknown origin and with no known cognates. Not connected to Ger. Graf (see MARGRAVE (Cf. margrave)). An Anglo Saxon official of high rank, having local jurisdiction under a king. Cf. SHERIFF (Cf. sheriff) …   Etymology dictionary

  • reeve — ► NOUN historical ▪ a local official, in particular the chief magistrate of a town or district in Anglo Saxon England. ORIGIN Old English …   English terms dictionary

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