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rief. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
rief, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
rief in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
rief you have here. The definition of the word
rief will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
rief, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
See reaf and reave.
Noun
rief (uncountable)
- Alternative form of reif (robbery).
- 1567 July 19, Proclamation by the Earl of Bedford, quoted in Calendar of State Papers, foreign series, of the Reign of Elizabeth, 1566-8 (1871), volume 10:
- commands all within his charge to abstain from reiving or stealing from the subjects of Scotland. For such riefs as have been made upon them, the Queen minds to have the same mended by justice.
1822, Alexander Peterkin, Notes on Orkney and Zetland, page 61:here the record is quite defaced and worn out, insomuch that only the words of the charge, viz. extortions, insolvencies, riefs, and oppressions, can be discovered
1884, James Taylor, The Pictorial History of Scotland, volume 2, page 133:Murders, riefs, and spoliations became more common on the Borders after this raid than they had ever been before.
References
Anagrams
German
Pronunciation
Verb
rief
- first/third-person singular preterite of rufen
Scots
Noun
rief
- Alternative form of reif
1820, David Carey, Lochiel; Or, The Field of Culloden, volume 2, page 157:Why he should na be treated as ane o' the wicked thieves and limmers o' the clans wha carry off their neighbours gear and live by rief, […]- (please add an English translation of this quotation)