noun

reef

reef

We went snorkeling at the coral reef.

We went snorkelling at the coral reef.

The ship struck a hidden reef.

The ship struck a hidden reef.

a reef We went snorkeling at the coral reef.

Synonyms: shoal, sandbar

From Old Norse 'rif' meaning 'rib, reef'. The sense 'reef' is from the resemblance to a ship's ribs.

A 'reef' can bring 'grief' to a ship. Picture a ship getting stuck on a sharp reef.

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