reaf

Noun (1)

reef (plural reefs)

1. A chain or range of rocks, sand, or coral lying at or near the surface of the water.
2. (Australia, South Africa) A large vein of auriferous quartz; hence, any body of rock yielding valuable ore.

Noun (2)

reef (plural reefs)

1. A portion of a sail rolled and tied down to lessen the area exposed in a high wind.
   • They sailed as if they were stark mad; they never took in a reef in the sail, and when the seas filled the boat, they sailed her up on the back of a wave till she stood nearly on end, the water rushing out over her stern as out of a spout.1886, Peter Christen Asbjø￵rnsen, translated by H.L. Brækstad, Folk and Fairy Tales, page 49
2. A reef knot.

Noun (3)

reef (plural reefs)

1. (Now chiefly dialectal) The itch; any eruptive skin disorder.
2. (Now chiefly dialectal) Dandruff.

See all 12 meanings of reef