1
- a ridge of jagged rock, coral, or sand just above or below the surface of the sea礁; 礁脉; 沙洲。
1.1
- a vein of ore in the earth, especially one containing gold（尤指含金的）矿脉。
词源
late 16th cent. （earlier as riff）： from Middle Low German and Middle Dutch rif, ref, from Old Norse rif, literally 'rib', used in the same sense; compare with REEF2.
Sailing 【航海】
- each of the several strips across a sail which can be taken in or rolled up to reduce the area exposed to the wind缩帆部。
with obj.
1- take in one or more reefs of (a sail)缩（帆）, 收（帆）：
reefing the mainsail in strong winds.
在强风中收缩主帆。
1.1
- shorten (a topmast or a bowsprit)缩短, 收进（中桅, 船首斜桁）。
词源
Middle English: from Middle Dutch reef, rif, from Old Norse rif, literally 'rib', used in the same sense; compare with REEF1.