reeve
3
9.9
- noun
- /riv/
- Archaic
:
alguacil
- We have seen with our own eyes the likes of these borough reeves and constables, who supposedly are there to protect our interests and to keep t'peace but in truth they turn a blind eye to t'transgressions and iniquities that blight all our lives.
Examples
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When I'm gone, you'll be reeve, and you can run things any way you want.
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An effective leader, Reeve helped balance the recovery of listed fish species while complying with federal regulations.
Blog text (21) -
- "Village Reeve Hurt in Foundry Blast."
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You're gonna have to follow me a ways to the reeve, then it's up to him how we proceed.
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- With this requisition, the borough reeve and constables refused to comply...
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They elected no town representatives for Litchfield, Reeve's stronghold.
Academic text (2016) -
In medieval England, the village reeve was responsible for overseeing local justice and administration.
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The reeve organized the harvest festival to celebrate the village's bountiful crops.
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As the elected reeve, she ensured that all community members had a voice in the village council.
Synonyms
∞
1.7
An elected leader who runs a city or town government
3
7.8
A respected local leader who is often a city council member
A medieval official in Swiss towns who led the town council
Surface Forms
Etymology
Reeve comes from an old English word meaning 'official' or 'steward' and is the same root behind sheriff from shire-reeve, so a reeve was a local leader who looked after rules and taxes.