[be.reave] vt -reaved or -reft ; -reav.ing [ME bereven, fr. OE bereafian, fr. be- + reafian to rob--more at reave] (bef. 12c) 1: to deprive of something--usu. used with of "madam, you have bereft me of all words --Shak."
2: to take away (a valued or necessary possession) esp. by force