'Bereave' definitions:

Definition of 'bereave'

verb

Deprive through death

From: GCIDE

Bereave \Be*reave"\ (b[-e]*r[=e]v"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bereaved (b[-e]*r[=e]vd"), Bereft (b[-e]*r[e^]ft"); p. pr. & vb. n. Bereaving.] [OE. bireven, AS. bere['a]fian. See Be-, and Reave.] [1913 Webster]
1. To make destitute; to deprive; to strip; -- with of before the person or thing taken away. [1913 Webster]
Madam, you have bereft me of all words. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
Bereft of him who taught me how to sing. --Tickell. [1913 Webster]
2. To take away from. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
All your interest in those territories Is utterly bereft you; all is lost. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
3. To take away. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
Shall move you to bereave my life. --Marlowe. [1913 Webster]
Note: The imp. and past pple. form bereaved is not used in reference to immaterial objects. We say bereaved or bereft by death of a relative, bereft of hope and strength. [1913 Webster]
Syn: To dispossess; to divest. [1913 Webster]