bereave (2009-06-22)

Part of Speech: verb

Pronunciation: [bi-'reev]

Definition: To deprive totally, dispossess, rob, or take away. Used with "of," i.e. "bereave someone of something."

Usage: Although today's verb is very seldom used in the active voice, there is no reason why it shouldn't be, "The casinos of Las Vegas bereaved Nelson of the bulk of his inheritance." It is more emotional and emphatic than "deprived," as in, "Fiona's flirtations with other men left Foster bereft of all good sense." (So, that's why he has put on 80 pounds.) But bereavement need not refer to tragic circumstances, "Bereft of his shyness from the several cocktails he had imbibed, Carleton found himself enjoying the party immensely."

Suggested Usage: The past tense is "bereaved" but the past participle is usually "bereft," though "bereaved" is acceptable. The noun, "bereavement," refers to a state of deprivation or the act of bereaving someone of something. One who robs or dispossesses is a "bereaver." The participles are used more often than the verb in phrases like "the bereaved/bereft parents," leaving the wrong impression that the word refers to sorrow or mourning.

Etymology: The prefix be- originally meant "about" hence was for a time used in that meaning, e.g. bespeak = speak about," bemoan = moan about." It has also meant "provide with," as in "bespectacle" and "befog." Here it is more an intensifier of "reave," to totally reave or deprive. "Reave" (noun "reavery") is from Old English reafian "plunder," related to Germanic raubon "rob". Here is a switch: rather than our borrowing the French word, French dérober "rob" and Italian rubare "rob" were borrowed from Germanic raubon. "Raubon" is the source of English "rob."