unˈreeve, v.
[un-2 3.]
trans. To withdraw (a rope, etc.) from being reeved.
| 1600 in Hakluyt Voy. III. 847 Wee vnriued our sheates, tackes, halliers, and other ropes. c 1625 Nomencl. Navalis (Harl. MS.) s.v. Reeve, When wee would haue that Roape pulled out of the Block, &c. wee say vnreeue that Roape, or the Brases, Lifts, Sheats, &c. are vnreeued. 1692 Capt. Smith's Seaman's Gram. i. 81 To pull a Rope out of a Block is called unreeving the Rope. 1730 Capt. W. Wriglesworth MS. Log-bk. of the ‘Lyell’ 1 Aug., Yesterday afternoon unreeved the runing Rigging. 1745 P. Thomas Jrnl. Anson's Voy. 148 We unreev'd [sc. the rope]..And reev'd a new one. 1804 Naval Chron. XII. 480 The chain-pumps were unrove, and leathered afresh. 1840 R. H. Dana Bef. Mast v, We..sent down the royal yards, and unrove the gear. 1883 Man. Seamanship for Boys 59 Jib or flying-jib stays can be unrove,..and then rove through the lacing. |
| refl. 1847 Kipping Sailmaking 49 By the loosening of which they unreeve themselves. |
b. fig. (See
quots.)
| 1840 R. H. Dana Bef. Mast xxix, Cockroaches, fleas and other vermin..must have unrove their life-lines before the hatches were opened. 1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-bk. 707 Unrove his life-line, departed this life. |
Hence
unˈreeved ppl. a.1,
unˈreeving vbl. n.| 1730 Capt. W. Wriglesworth MS. Log-bk. of the ‘Lyell’ 14 Aug., All our unreev'd Rigging is a shore. [1775 Ash, Unreeving.] 1892 Kipling Life's Handicap 182 The reeving and unreeving of the bed-tapes. |