BEREAVER Meaning and
Definition
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The term "bereaver" refers to a person or entity that causes bereavement or grief by taking away or depriving someone of a loved one, possession, or cherished aspect of life. Derived from the verb "bereave," meaning to deprive someone of something or someone, the noun "bereaver" emphasizes the active role played by the entity causing sorrow or loss.
Typically used to describe individuals responsible for causing grief, such as a murderer or an oppressor, the term can also apply to circumstances or events that result in a profound sense of loss, such as an illness or a natural disaster. In this sense, "bereaver" signifies the source or cause of bereavement, emphasizing the emotional impact experienced by the person or community affected.
The word "bereaver" also carries a metaphorical meaning, extending beyond its literal interpretation. It can be used to describe situations where people are deprived of something meaningful or significant, aside from the loss of a loved one. For example, it could encompass a job loss or the ending of a cherished relationship. In these cases, the term conveys a sense of grief, highlighting the emotional toll resulting from such experiences.
Overall, "bereaver" encapsulates the individual, entity, or circumstances that inflict profound grief, loss, or deprivation upon someone, underscoring the role of the cause in causing emotional suffering.
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Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for BEREAVER
- vereaver
- nereaver
- hereaver
- gereaver
- bwreaver
- bsreaver
- bdreaver
- brreaver
- b4reaver
- b3reaver
- beeeaver
- bedeaver
- befeaver
- beteaver
- be5eaver
- be4eaver
- berwaver
- bersaver
- berdaver
- bbereaver
Etymology of BEREAVER
The word "bereaver" is derived from two separate components: "bereave" and "-er".
The verb "bereave" originates from the Old English word "berēafian", which means "to rob or deprive". It is a combination of the prefix "be-" (meaning "by" or "near") and the root word "reafian" (meaning "to plunder or seize"). Over time, "berēafian" evolved into "bereave", which retains the meaning of robbing or depriving someone of something, particularly in the context of loss or death.
The suffix "-er" is a productive suffix in English that is often used to form agent nouns. In this case, "-er" is added to "bereave" to create the noun "bereaver". Thus, a "bereaver" is someone or something that causes bereavement or loss.
Idioms with the word BEREAVER
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