reave

C2 Topic:Actions & Processes

US /riːv/ UK /riːv/ See IPA manual

Minimal pairs

Sounds like leave /l/ vs /r/

Freq #172364

Meanings

1

verb
archaic or literary: to rob, plunder, or carry something away by force

Raiders crossed the border to reave cattle from the valley farms.
2

verb
archaic or literary: to deprive a person of someone or something valued

War had reft the family of its home and livelihood.
3

verb
archaic or literary: to tear, split, or break apart

The storm reft several limbs from the ancient oak.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · archaic or literary: to... rob plunder despoil strip

2 verb · archaic or literary: to... deprive bereave dispossess

3 verb · archaic or literary: to... tear split rend

Opposites

give restore unite

Word family

Forms reft

Derived forms reaverreaving

Related forms bereave robreftreiver

Etymology

From Middle English reven and Old English reafian, 'rob or plunder,' from a Germanic family also represented by rob. Its old participle reft survives chiefly in literary uses meaning deprived, torn, or carried away.

Topics

Actions & Processes Register & Style

External links

markdown