reef

US /riːf/
UK /riːf/
"reef" picture
1.

Riff

a ridge of rocks or sand, often of coral, near the surface of the sea

:
The ship ran aground on the coral reef.
Das Schiff lief auf das Korallenriff auf.
Divers explored the vibrant marine life around the reef.
Taucher erkundeten das lebendige Meeresleben um das Riff herum.
1.

reffen

reduce the area of (a sail) by folding or rolling part of it and securing it to the spar or mast

:
The sailors had to reef the sails as the storm approached.
Die Segler mussten die Segel reffen, als der Sturm aufzog.
We decided to reef the main sail to reduce speed.
Wir beschlossen, das Großsegel zu reffen, um die Geschwindigkeit zu reduzieren.