In folklore, the Grim Reaper is a genderless figure (assumedly male) who wears a dark cloak with a hood covering his face, and is renouned for carrying a scythe. It's hands and feet are normally that of a skeleton. Also referred to as Death, the Grim Reaper is said to kill anyone it touches.



In modern day storytelling, the Grim Reaper takes the soul of a person when it is their time to leave the living world. Many people believe Death is a messenger of Satan, but it takes life when it is the person's time, regardless of what happens in their afterlife.



Figuratively speaking, the Grim Reaper is in the gap between life and death, essentially helping people pass from the living world to that of the dead. He is the sign of Death, and his representation is shown on the tarot card for Death.
I got this imformation at http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Grim+Reaper