bereave
pronunciation
How to pronounce bereave in British English:
UK [bɪˈriːv]
How to pronounce bereave in American English:
US [bɪˈriːv]
-
- Verb:
- deprive through death
Word Origin
- bereave
- bereave: see rob
- bereave (v.)
- Old English bereafian "to deprive of, take away, seize, rob," from be + reafian "rob, plunder," from Proto-Germanic *raubojanan, from PIE *reup- "to snatch" (see rapid). A common Germanic formation (compare Old Frisian birava "despoil," Old Saxon biroban, Dutch berooven, Old High German biroubon, German berauben, Gothic biraubon). Since mid-17c., mostly in reference to life, hope, loved ones, and other immaterial possessions. Past tense forms bereaved and bereft have co-existed since 14c., now slightly differentiated in meaning, the former applied to loss of loved ones, the latter to circumstances.
Example
- 1. Ezek 36:14 therefore thou shalt devour men no more , neither bereave thy nations any more , saith the lord god .
- 2. I will let loose among you the beasts of the field , which will bereave you of your children and destroy your cattle and reduce your number so that your roads lie deserted .
- 3. And I have caused man to walk over you , -- my people israel , and they possess thee , and thou hast been to them for an inheritance , and thou dost add no more to bereave them .
- 4. So will I send upon you famine and evil beasts , and they shall bereave you : and pestilence and blood shall pass through you ; and I will bring the sword upon you .
- 5. So will I send upon you famine and evil beasts , and they shall bereave thee ; and pestilence and blood shall pass through thee ; and I will bring the sword upon thee .