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Rear vs Reaf - What's the difference?

rear | reaf |

As nouns the difference between rear and reaf

is that rear is the back or hindmost part; that which is behind, or last on order; - opposed to front while reaf is (now|chiefly|dialectal) spoil; booty; plunder, especially plunder from robbery or reaf can be .

As a verb rear

is to raise physically; to lift up; to cause to rise, to elevate or rear can be to move; stir or rear can be to place in the rear; to secure the rear of.

As an adjective rear

is (of eggs) underdone; nearly raw or rear can be being behind, or in the hindmost part; hindmost; as, the rear rank of a company.

As an adverb rear

is (british|dialect) early; soon.

rear

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) reren, from (etyl) . More at (l).

Alternative forms

* (l), (l), (l)

Verb

(en verb)
  • To raise physically; to lift up; to cause to rise, to elevate.
  • * (rfdate)
    • In adoration at his feet I fell Submiss; he reared me.
  • * (rfdate)
    • Mine [shall be] the first hand to rear her banner.
  • To construct by building; to set up
    • to rear defenses or houses
    to rear one government on the ruins of another.
  • * (rfdate)
    • One reared a font of stone.
  • To raise spiritually; to lift up; to elevate morally.
  • * (rfdate)
    • It reareth our hearts from vain thoughts.
  • (obsolete) To lift and take up.
  • * (rfdate)
    • And having her from Trompart lightly reared , Upon his set the lovely load.
  • To bring up to maturity, as offspring; to educate; to instruct; to foster.
  • * (rfdate)
    • He wants a father to protect his youth, and rear him up to virtue.
  • To breed and raise; as, to rear cattle (cattle-rearing).
  • (obsolete) To rouse; to strip up.
  • * (rfdate),
    • And seeks the tusky boar to rear.
  • To rise up on the hind legs, as a bolting horse.
    • Usage notes
    See note under raise.
    Synonyms
    * (rise up on the hind legs) prance * build * elevate * erect * establish * lift * raise
    Derived terms
    * raring

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) reren, from (etyl) .

    Alternative forms

    * (l), (l)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To move; stir.
  • (of geese) To carve.
    • Rere that goose!
    Related terms
    * (l) * (l)

    Etymology 3

    From (etyl) rere, from (etyl) .

    Alternative forms

    * (l), (l) * (l) (US)

    Adjective

    (en-adj)
  • (of eggs) Underdone; nearly raw.
  • (of meats) Rare.
    • Derived terms
    * (l) * (l)

    Etymology 4

    (etyl) rere, ultimately from (etyl) retro. Compare arrear.

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Being behind, or in the hindmost part; hindmost; as, the rear rank of a company.
    • Antonyms
    * front

    Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • (British, dialect) early; soon
  • * (rfdate) .
    • Then why does Cuddy leave his cot so rear !

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The back or hindmost part; that which is behind, or last on order; - opposed to front.
  • * (rfdate)
    • Nipped with the lagging rear of winter's frost.
  • (military) Specifically, the part of an army or fleet which comes last, or is stationed behind the rest.
  • * (rfdate) Milton
    • When the fierce foe hung on our broken rear.
  • (anatomy) The buttocks, a creature's bottom
    • Synonyms
    * (buttocks) rear end

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To place in the rear; to secure the rear of.
  • (transitive, vulgar, British) To sodomize (perform anal sex)
    • Derived terms
    * rear admiral * rear echelon * rear end * rear front - (military), the rear rank of a body of troops when faced about and standing in that position. * rear guard * rearhorse * rear line - (military), the line in the rear of an army. * rearmost * rearmouse * rear rank - (military), the rank or line of a body of troops which is in the rear, or last in order. * rear sight - (firearms ), the sight nearest the breech. * rearward * bring up the rear - to come last or behind. * rearing bit - a bit designed to prevent a horse from lifting his head when rearing.

    Anagrams

    * ----

    reaf

    English

    Etymology 1

    See (m).

    Alternative forms

    * (l), (l) (Scotland)

    Noun

    (en-noun)
  • (now, chiefly, dialectal) Spoil; booty; plunder, especially plunder from robbery.
  • (now, chiefly, dialectal) The act of practise of robbery; spoliation; depredation.
  • (now, chiefly, dialectal) The act of carrying off, abducting, or devouring (another).
  • (now, chiefly, dialectal, Scotland) Rapacity; greedy desire for plunder.
  • (now, chiefly, dialectal, Scotland) A thief; robber.

    • Etymology 2

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • * 1834 August 2, Niles' Register , page 384:
    • A large number of vessels continued to be wrecked, and a vast amount of property is lost on the Florida reafs .
  • * 1891 , H. A. Moriarty, Islands in the Southern Indian Ocean, Westward of Longitude 80° east, including Madagascar , page 124:
    • The largest ships may pass between the outer reafs and the Black rocks.