verb (used with object), reaved or reft, reav·ing. Archaic.
- to take away by or as by force; plunder; rob.
verb (used with or without object), reaved or reft, reav·ing.
- Archaic. to rend; break; tear.
verb reaves, reaving, reaved or reft (rɛft) archaic
- to carry off (property, prisoners, etc) by force
- (tr foll by of) to deprive; stripSee also reive
verb reaves, reaving, reaved or reft (rɛft)
- archaic to break or tear (something) apart; cleave
Old English reafian “to rob (something from someone), plunder, pillage,” from Proto-Germanic *raubjon (cf. Old Frisian ravia, Middle Dutch roven, Dutch rooven, Old High German roubon, German rauben), from PIE *reup- “to snatch” (see rip (v.)). Related: Reaved; reaving.