reave

1 of 2

verb

ˈrēv 

reaved or reft ˈreft  ; reaving

intransitive verb

: plunder, rob

transitive verb

1

archaic

a(1)

: rob, despoil

(2)

: to deprive one of

b

: seize

2

archaic : to carry or tear away

reaver noun

reaver

2 of 2

noun

reav·​er

variants or riever

ˈrēvə(r)

plural -s

: one that takes away by or as if by stealth or force

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English reven, from Old English rēafian; akin to Old High German roubōn to rob, Latin rumpere to break

Noun

Middle English revere, from Old English rēafere, from rēafian to take away by or as if by stealth or force, rob, despoil + -ere -er

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for reave

• breve
• cleave
• cleeve
• cleve
• eave
• eve
• grieve
• heave
• leave
• lieve
• neve
• reeve