bereave
[ bih-reev ]
/ bɪˈriv /
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verb (used with object), be·reaved or be·reft, be·reav·ing.
to deprive and make desolate, especially by death (usually followed by of): Illness bereaved them of their mother.
to deprive ruthlessly or by force (usually followed by of): The war bereaved them of their home.
Obsolete. to take away by violence.
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Origin of bereave
OTHER WORDS FROM bereave
be·reave·ment, nounbe·reav·er, nounDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
British Dictionary definitions for bereave
bereave
/ (bɪˈriːv) /
verb (tr)
(usually foll by of) to deprive (of) something or someone valued, esp through death
obsolete to remove by force
See also bereft
Word Origin for bereave
Old English bereafian; see reave 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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