"Most reft" is a rarely used phrase, meaning "most deprived." The spelling of "reft" in particular, may appear confusing to those unfamiliar with Old or Middle English. It is pronounced /rɛft/ and represents the past participle of the verb "reave," which means "to take away by force." While archaic, the spelling of "reft" has remained largely unchanged over the centuries, offering an intriguing glimpse into the evolution of English language and spelling conventions.
The word "reft" originates from the Old English word "reafian", meaning "to plunder" or "to rob". In Middle English, the term evolved into "reven" and eventually became "reft". The meaning of "reft" remained similar, referring to something that has been taken away or deprived.
The phrase "most reft" combines the superlative adverb "most" and the past participle "reft". This combination emphasizes that something has been greatly deprived or stripped away.