Reave (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Reaved (?), Reft (), or Raft () (obs.); p. pr. & vb. n. Reaving.] [AS. re�xa0;fian, from re�xa0;f spoil, plunder, clothing, reofan to break (cf. bireofan to deprive of); akin to G. rauben to rob, Icel. raufa to rob, rj&umac;fa to break, violate, Goth. bir�xa0;ubon to despoil, L. rumpere to break; cf. Skr. lup to break. &root;114. Cf. Bereave, Rob, v. t., Robe, Rove, v. t., Rupture.]
To take away by violence or by stealth; to snatch away; to rob; to despoil; to bereave. [Archaic].
"To
reave his life."
Spenser.
He golden apples raft of the dragon.
Chaucer.
By privy stratagem my life at home.
Chapman.
<-- #sic. Obviously, something left out of this quote. -->
To reave the orphan of his patrimony.
Shak.
The heaven caught and reft him of his tongue.
Tennyson.
© Webster 1913.