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