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. Wrigglesworth, 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.
1890. 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 Unreeved ppl. a.1, Unreeving vbl. sb.
1730. Capt. W. Wrigglesworth, 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.
