reave

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology | 1996 | 579 words | Copyright

reave pt., pp. reft (arch.) commit robbery; despoil; take forcible possession on. OE. rēafian = OS. rōbon (Du. rooven), OHG. roubōn (G. rauben), Goth. -raubōn :- Gmc. *raubōjan, f. *raub- (whence also OE. rēaf plunder, equipment, clothing = OS. rōf, OHG. roub), *reub- (whence OE. rēofan break, tear, ON. rjúfa break, violate); the orig. sense is ‘break’, as in cogn. L. rumpere, rup-.
Hence reaver, Sc. reiver robber, plunderer. OE. rēafere = MDu. rōvere (Du. roover), OHG. roubari (G. räuber).

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T. F. HOAD. "reave." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "reave." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-reave.html

T. F. HOAD. "reave." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-reave.html

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