reeve Definition
- 1a local official in Anglo-Saxon and medieval England, typically in charge of law and order in a town or district
- 2a manager of an estate or farm
- 3a bailiff or steward of a manor
Using reeve: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "reeve" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The reeve was responsible for maintaining peace and order in the village.
Example
The estate's reeve was in charge of managing the crops and livestock.
Example
The manor's reeve collected rent from the tenants.
reeve Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with reeve
Example
The shire reeve was responsible for collecting taxes and enforcing laws in the county.
reeve's tale
one of the stories in Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales', told by a character named the Reeve
Example
The Reeve's Tale is a story about two students who trick their landlord and get revenge on him.
reeve's prologue
the introduction to the Reeve's Tale in Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales', where the Reeve tells his own story
Example
The Reeve's Prologue sets up the story he is about to tell and gives some background information about himself.
Origins of reeve
from Old English 'gerēfa', meaning 'chief' or 'governor'
Summary: reeve in Brief
The term 'reeve' [riːv] refers to a local official in Anglo-Saxon and medieval England who was in charge of law and order in a town or district. It also means a manager of an estate or farm, or a bailiff or steward of a manor. The phrase 'shire reeve' refers to an official appointed to oversee a shire or county in medieval England.
