\Be*reave"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bereaved}, {Bereft};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Bereaving.}] [OE. bireven, AS. bere['a]fian.
See {Be-}, and {Reave.}]
1. To make destitute; to deprive; to strip; -- with of before
   the person or thing taken away.
         Madam, you have bereft me of all words. --Shak.
         Bereft of him who taught me how to sing. --Tickell.
2. To take away from. [Obs.]
         All your interest in those territories Is utterly
         bereft you; all is lost.              --Shak.
3. To take away. [Obs.]
         Shall move you to bereave my life.    --Marlowe.
Note: 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.
Syn: To dispossess; to divest.