First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
bereave
verb be·reave \bi-ˈrēv, bē-\
be·reaved or be·reft\-ˈreft\be·reav·ing
Definition of BEREAVE
transitive verb
1
: to deprive of something —usually used with of <madam, you have bereft me of all words — Shakespeare>
2
: to take away (a valued or necessary possession) especially by force
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Origin of BEREAVE
Middle English bereven, from Old English berēafian, from be- + rēafian to rob — more at reave
Rhymes with BEREAVE
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