Main Entry:

be·reave

Pronunciation:

\bi-ˈrēv, bē-\

Function:

transitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

be·reaved or be·reft \-ˈreft\ ; be·reav·ing

Etymology:

Middle English bereven, from Old English berēafian, from be- + rēafian to rob — more at reave

Date:

before 12th century

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