Reave
/riːv/noun
To rob or plunder, especially by force.
Did you know?Reave is an old Germanic verb tied to the same ancient root as “rob,” “bereave,” and “robber,” all circling the idea of violent taking and loss.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*reup-
“to tear away, snatch”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*raubōną
“to rob, plunder”
Old English
OE
rēafian
“to rob, plunder, seize by force”
Middle English
ME
reven
“to rob, seize, take away”
Modern English
English
reave
“to rob or plunder”