Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†REEVE, v.2 Also reef. To chatter on incessantly, to babble (Sc. 1808 Jam.); to rumour, spread (a story) about (Sc. 1825 Jam.). Reduplic. comb. reevie-tavie, n., a rigmarole, a long rambling story (Kcb.5 1944), though this may be a different word.Sc. 1821 Hogg Jacobite Relics II. 24:
The godly laird of Grant, For a' his Highland cant, . . . 'Tis reef'd he has a want.s.Sc. 1857 H. S. Riddell St. Matthew xxviii. 15:
This sayin' is commonlie reefet amang the Jews until this day.
