GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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Found one definition

1.       
   Reave , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Reaved , Reft , or Raft  (obs.); p. pr. & vb. n. Reaving.] [AS. reáfian, from reáf spoil, plunder, clothing, reófan to break (cf. bireófan to deprive of); akin to G. rauben to rob, Icel. raufa to rob, rjūfa to break, violate, Goth. biráubōn to despoil, L. rumpere to break; cf. Skr. lup to break. √114. Cf. Bereave, Rob, v. t., Robe, Rove, v. i., Rupture.] To take away by violence or by stealth; to snatch away; to rob; to despoil; to bereave. [Archaic]. “To reave his life.” 
   Spenser.
   
   1913 Webster
   He golden apples raft of the dragon.
   Chaucer.
   
   1913 Webster
   If the wooers reave
   By privy stratagem my life at home.
   Chapman.
   
   1913 Webster
   To reave the orphan of his patrimony.
   Shak.
   
   1913 Webster
   The heathen caught and reft him of his tongue.
   Tennyson.
   
   1913 Webster