Raft \Raft\, n. [Originally, a rafter, spar, and fr. Icel. raptr
a rafter; akin to Dan. raft, Prov. G. raff a rafter, spar;
cf. OHG. r[=a]fo, r[=a]vo, a beam, rafter, Icel. r[=a]f roof.
Cf. Rafter, n.]
1. A collection of logs, boards, pieces of timber, or the
like, fastened, together, either for their own collective
conveyance on the water, or to serve as a support in
conveying other things; a float.
2. A collection of logs, fallen trees, etc. (such as is
formed in some Western rivers of the United States), which
obstructs navigation. [U.S.]
3. [Perhaps akin to raff a heap.]
A large collection of
people or things taken indiscriminately. [Slang, U. S.]
``A whole raft of folks.'' --W. D. Howells.
Raft bridge.
(a) A bridge whose points of support are rafts.
(b) A bridge that consists of floating timbers fastened
together.
Raft duck. [The name alludes to its swimming in dense
flocks.]
(Zo["o]l.)
(a) The bluebill, or greater scaup duck; -- called also
flock duck. See Scaup.
(b) The redhead.
Raft port (Naut.), a large, square port in a vessel's side
for loading or unloading timber or other bulky articles; a
timber or lumber port.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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Raft \Raft\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Rafted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Rafting.]
To transport on a raft, or in the form of a raft; to make
into a raft; as, to raft timber.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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Reave \Reave\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Reaved, Reft, or
Raft(obs.); p. pr. & vb. n. Reaving.]
[AS. re['a]fian,
from re['a]f spoil, plunder, clothing, re['o]fan to break
(cf. bire['o]fan to deprive of); akin to G. rauben to rob,
Icel. raufa to rob, rj[=u]fa to break, violate, Goth.
bir['a]ubon to despoil, L. rumpere to break; cf. Skr. lup to
break. [root]114. Cf. Bereave, Rob, v. t., Robe,
Rove, v. t., Rupture.]
To take away by violence or by stealth; to snatch away; to
rob; to despoil; to bereave. [Archaic]. ``To reave his
life.'' --Spenser.
He golden apples raft of the dragon. --Chaucer.
By privy stratagem my life at home. --Chapman.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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