v.
Pronunciation: bi- ' r ē v, b ē -
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: -reaved or -reft \ - ' reft \ ; -reav · ing
Etymology: Middle English bereven, from Old English ber ē afian, from be- + r ē afian to rob ― more at REAVE
Date: before 12th century
1 : to deprive of something ― usually used with of <madam, you have bereft me of all words ― Shakespeare>
2 : to take away (a valued or necessary possession) especially by force