Reef

·noun A large vein of auriferous quartz;

— so called in Australia. Hence, any body of rock yielding valuable ore.

II. Reef ·noun A chain or range of rocks lying at or near the surface of the water. ·see Coral reefs, under Coral.

III. Reef ·vt To reduce the extent of (as a sail) by roiling or folding a certain portion of it and making it fast to the yard or spar.

IV. Reef ·vt That part of a sail which is taken in or let out by means of the reef points, in order to adapt the size of the sail to the force of the wind.