reeve1

[reev] /riv/
noun
1.
an administrative officer of a town or district.
2.
British. an overseer or superintendent of workers, tenants, or an estate.
3.
British. (formerly) a person of high rank representing the crown.
4.
Canadian. the presiding officer of a village or town council.
Origin
before 900; Middle English (i)reve, Old English gerēfa high official, literally, head of a rōf array, number (of soldiers); cf. sheriff

reeve2

[reev] /riv/
verb (used with object), rove or reeved, roven or reeved, reeving. Nautical
1.
to pass (a rope or the like) through a hole, ring, or the like.
2.
to fasten by placing through or around something.
3.
to pass a rope through (the swallow of a block).
Origin
1620-30; < Dutch reven to reef; see reef2

reeve3

[reev] /riv/
noun
1.
the female of the ruff, Philomachus pugnax.
Also called ree.
Origin
1625-35; origin uncertain
British Dictionary definitions for reeve

reeve1

/riːv/
noun
1.
(English history) the local representative of the king in a shire (under the ealdorman) until the early 11th century Compare sheriff
2.
(in medieval England) a manorial steward who supervised the daily affairs of the manor: often a villein elected by his fellows
3.
(government:Canada) (in certain provinces) a president of a local council, esp in a rural area
4.
(formerly) a minor local official in any of several parts of England and the US
Word Origin
Old English gerēva; related to Old High German ruova number, array

reeve2

/riːv/
verb (transitive) (nautical) reeves, reeving, reeved, rove (rəʊv)
1.
to pass (a rope or cable) through an eye or other narrow opening
2.
to fasten by passing through or around something
Word Origin
C17: perhaps from Dutch rēvenreef²

reeve3

/riːv/
noun
1.
the female of the ruff (the bird)
Word Origin
C17: of uncertain origin
Word Origin and History for reeve
n.

"steward," Old English gerefa "king's officer," of unknown origin and with no known cognates. Not connected to German Graf (see margrave). An Anglo-Saxon official of high rank, having local jurisdiction under a king. Cf. sheriff.