bereave

[ bih-reev ]

verb (used with object)

, be·reaved or be·reft, be·reav·ing.

1. to deprive and make desolate, especially by death (usually followed by of ):

   Illness bereaved them of their mother.

2. to deprive ruthlessly or by force (usually followed by of ):

   The war bereaved them of their home.

3. Obsolete. to take away by violence.

bereave

/ bɪˈriːv /

verb

1. usually foll by of to deprive (of) something or someone valued, esp through death
2. obsolete.
   to remove by force

Other Words From

• be·reavement noun
• be·reaver noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bereave¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English bereven, Old English berēafian; cognate with Dutch berooven, German berauben, Gothic biraubōn; equivalent to be- + reave ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of bereave¹

Old English bereafian ; see reave ¹

Example Sentences

She will thee bereave of almost every joy, the fair-faced foster-child of Heimir.

From Project Gutenberg

To whom, think ye, is your life of such consequence, that they should seek to bereave ye of it?

From Project Gutenberg

And, dear sweetheart, be not afraid that you shall be left without a lover; that I shall bereave you!

From Project Gutenberg

But as a taste of blood will infuriate a hound, so her own laughter seemed to bereave Bianca of all restraint.

From Project Gutenberg

Fortuna opes auferre, non animum potest—Fortune may bereave us of wealth, but not of courage.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• dispossess