reef
Definition
- n. a submerged ridge of rock or coral near the surface of the water
- n. 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
- v. lower and bring partially inboard
- v. roll up (a portion of a sail) in order to reduce its area
Word forms
- Present participle
- reefing
- Past participle
- reefed
- Past tense
- reefed
- Third person singular
- reefs
Example sentences
n.
The colorful fish swim around the coral reef.
v.
The sailor decided to reef the sails before the storm hit.