reave
1[ reev ]
/ riv /
verb (used with object), reaved or reft, reav·ing.Archaic.
to take away by or as by force; plunder; rob.
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Origin of reave
1Words nearby reave
Definition for reave (2 of 2)
reave2
[ reev ]
/ riv /
verb (used with or without object), reaved or reft, reav·ing.
Archaic. to rend; break; tear.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for reave
Not forty Van Hupfeldts nor a legion of ghosts should reave him of those telling pieces of evidence!
The Late Tenant|Louis TracyBut they try to reave from God, His part, who would be praised of men for good deeds.
The Form of Perfect Living and Other Prose Treatises|Richard Rolle of HampoleI am doing what I can to reave the heavens of these monsters.
The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 7 (of 12)|Robert G. Ingersoll
British Dictionary definitions for reave (1 of 2)
reave1
/ (riːv) /
verb reaves, reaving, reaved or reft (rɛft) archaic
to carry off (property, prisoners, etc) by force
Word Origin for reave
Old English reāfian; related to Old High German roubōn to rob, Old Norse raufa to break open
British Dictionary definitions for reave (2 of 2)
reave2
/ (riːv) /
verb reaves, reaving, reaved or reft (rɛft)
archaic to break or tear (something) apart; cleave
Word Origin for reave
C13 reven, probably from reave 1 and influenced in meaning by rive
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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