reave

¹

[ reev ]

verb (used with object)

, Archaic.

, reaved or reft, reav·ing.

1. to take away by or as by force; plunder; rob.

reave

²

[ reev ]

verb (used with or without object)

, reaved or reft, reav·ing.

1. Archaic. to rend; break; tear.

reave

¹

/ riːv /

verb

1. to carry off (property, prisoners, etc) by force
2. trfoll byof to deprive; strip See also reive

reave

²

/ riːv /

verb

1. archaic.
   to break or tear (something) apart; cleave

Word History and Origins

Origin of reave¹

before 900; Middle English reven, Old English rēafian; cognate with German rauben, Dutch roven to rob

Origin of reave²

1175–1225; Middle English; apparently special use of reave ¹ (by association with rive )

Word History and Origins

Origin of reave¹

Old English reāfian ; related to Old High German roubōn to rob, Old Norse raufa to break open

Origin of reave²

C13 reven , probably from reave ¹and influenced in meaning by rive

Example Sentences

I am doing what I can to reave the heavens of these monsters.

From Project Gutenberg

But they try to reave from God, His part, who would be praised of men for good deeds.

From Project Gutenberg

Not forty Van Hupfeldts nor a legion of ghosts should reave him of those telling pieces of evidence!

From Project Gutenberg