bereave Meaning, Definition & Usage

Be*reave" transitive verb

Etymology

OE. bireven, AS. bereáfian. See Be-, and Reave.

Wordforms

imperfect & past participle Bereaved Bereft ; present participle & verbal noun Bereaving

Definitions

1. To make destitute; to deprive; to strip; -- with of before the person or thing taken away.

   Madam, you have bereft me of all words. Shak.

   Bereft of him who taught me how to sing. Tickell.

2. To take away from. Obs.

   All your interest in those territories Is utterly bereft you; all is lost. Shak.

3. To take away. Obs.

   Shall move you to bereave my life. Marlowe.

   ✍ The imp. and past pple. form bereaved is not used in reference to immaterial objects. We say bereaved or bereft by death of a relative, bereft of hope and strength. Syn. -- To dispossess; to divest.