reave

¹ American  

[reev] / riv /

verb (used with object)

Archaic.

reaved, reft, reaving

1. to take away by or as by force; plunder; rob.

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reave ² American  

[reev] / riv /

verb (used with or without object)

reaved, reft, reaving

1. Archaic. to rend; break; tear.

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reave ¹ British  

/ riːv /

verb

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

2. to deprive; strip See also reive

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reave ² British  

/ riːv /

verb

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

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Etymology

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 )

Example Sentences

While they were in Europe, Promoter Montgomery began to reave out stock at $8 to $12 a share.

From Time Magazine Archive

He cut the pole with some difficulty, his clasp-knife being but a poor substitute for an axe; then he bored a hole at the top to reave the halliards through.

From Jarwin and Cuffy by Ballantyne, R. M. (Robert Michael)

But they try to reave from God, His part, who would be praised of men for good deeds.

From The Form of Perfect Living and Other Prose Treatises by Hodgson, Geraldine Emma

They all crowded around him, as though his presence meant life to them, and his departure would reave them of their very souls; and what piteous pleading, what extravagance of grief did they omit?

From Barlaam and Ioasaph by John of Damascus, Saint

It that God will give, the Devil cannot reave.

From Collection of Scotch Proverbs by Stampoy, Pappity