v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Bereaved Bereft p. pr. & vb. n. Bereaving. ] [ OE. bireven, AS. bereáfian. See Be-, and Reave. ] [ 1913 Webster ] 1. To make destitute; to deprive; to strip; -- with of before the person or thing taken away. [ 1913 Webster ] Madam, you have bereft me of all words. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] Bereft of him who taught me how to sing. Tickell. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. To take away from. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ] All your interest in those territories Is utterly bereft you; all is lost. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. To take away. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ] Shall move you to bereave my life. Marlowe. [ 1913 Webster ] ☞ 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. [ 1913 Webster ] Syn. -- To dispossess; to divest. [ 1913 Webster ] |