The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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.]
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   1. To make destitute; to deprive; to strip; -- with of before
      the person or thing taken away.
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            Madam, you have bereft me of all words. --Shak.
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            Bereft of him who taught me how to sing. --Tickell.
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   2. To take away from. [Obs.]
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            All your interest in those territories
            Is utterly bereft you; all is lost.   --Shak.
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   3. To take away. [Obs.]
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            Shall move you to bereave my life.    --Marlowe.
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   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.
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   Syn: To dispossess; to divest.
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