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REEF (1)
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REEF (1) (Du. cf. Ger. Riff, Swed. ref, &c., all from 0. Nor. rib), in physical geography, a narrow ridge of rock, shingle or sand culminating at or near the surface of the sea. In a transformed sense the word is used in mining of a vein or lode of gold-bearing quartz; (2) (Du. reef, rif, cf. Ger. Reif, Swed. raj., O. Nor. rif, possibly a transferred sense of rif, rib), a part of a sail which can be rolled or folded up, thus diminishing the amount of canvas spread to the wind. In square sails, " reefs " are taken from the top, in fore-and-aft sails from the foot.