Bereaving

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Bereave \Be*reave"\ (b[-e]*r[=e]v"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
     {Bereaved} (b[-e]*r[=e]vd"), {Bereft} (b[-e]*r[e^]ft"); p.
     pr. & vb. n. {Bereaving.}] [OE. bireven, AS. bere['a]fian.
     See {Be-}, and {Reave.}]
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     1. To make destitute; to deprive; to strip; -- with of before


        the person or thing taken away.
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              Madam, you have bereft me of all words. --Shak.
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              Bereft of him who taught me how to sing. --Tickell.
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     2. To take away from. [Obs.]
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              All your interest in those territories
              Is utterly bereft you; all is lost.   --Shak.
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     3. To take away. [Obs.]
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              Shall move you to bereave my life.    --Marlowe.
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     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.
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     Syn: To dispossess; to divest.
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