bə̇ˈrēv transitive verb
( bereaved -vd ; or be·reft -reft ; bereaved or bereft or archaic be·reav·en -rēvən ; bereaving ; bereaves )
Etymology: Middle English bereven, from Old English berēafian, from be- + rēafian to rob — more at reave
1. : to deprive especially by death : strip , dispossess — used with of before that which is taken away
the war bereaved them of their three sons
bereft of all hope
bereft of their senses
2. obsolete : to take away (a cherished or valued possession) especially by force or violence
Synonyms: see deprive