reave

1

[reev]

verb (used with object)

Archaic.
reaved, reft, reaving. 
  1. to take away by or as by force; plunder; rob.



reave

2

[reev]

verb (used with or without object)

reaved, reft, reaving. 
  1. Archaic.,  to rend; break; tear.

reave

1

/ riːv /

verb

  1. to carry off (property, prisoners, etc) by force

  2. to deprive; strip See also reive

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

reave

2

/ riːv /

verb

  1. archaic,  to break or tear (something) apart; cleave

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of reave1

before 900; Middle English reven, Old English rēafian; cognate with German rauben, Dutch roven to rob

Origin of reave2

1175–1225; Middle English; apparently special use of reave 1 (by association with rive )
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Word History and Origins

Origin of reave1

Old English reāfian ; related to Old High German roubōn to rob, Old Norse raufa to break open

Origin of reave2

C13 reven , probably from reave 1 and influenced in meaning by rive
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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

With the Hundred Years' War against England came soldiers reaving and burning through the countryside, while the Black Death followed swiftly thereafter, striking Burgundy in 1348 and again, with even greater severity, in 1360.

Read more on Salon

And eventually, it bursts through, burning and reaving.

Read more on Literature

Like that time Gregor Clegane went reaving through the countryside before the war even started: It isn’t crazy to think millions died over the years.

Read more on The Verge

Next week, the season finale: reaving, roving, and raiding.

Read more on The New Yorker

Was the sequel originally going to be a prequel about Bala-Tik and the Guavian Death Gang’s early years of reaving in the outer rim territories?

Read more on The Guardian

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