noun
reeve
reev
noun
1
A local official in medieval England with authority over an area, or (in Canada) the elected head of certain municipal councils.
"The village reeve settled disputes between farmers."
"In parts of rural Canada, the head of a township council is still called a reeve."
verb
1
To thread a rope through a hole, ring, or pulley so it can be used to pull or hoist something.
"The sailor reeved the rope through the block before hoisting the sail."
How to Use Reeve
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old word for a local official, or (as a verb) to pass a rope through something.
Common mistake
Don't confuse the official sense with the unrelated verb sense about ropes — they just happen to share a spelling.
Word Forms
reeved past tense, rove past tense, reeves plural, reeves plural, reeves singular
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The village _____ settled disputes between farmers.
Etymology
From Old English gerefa ("official, officer"), a word that mostly died out in England once "bailiff" took over, though it survives in Canadian local government.