Bereft
Adjective
Definition: Deprived or lacking something, especially a possession or attribute.
Definition: Suffering the loss of a loved one; bereaved.
Synonyms: Deprived, Lacking, Wanting, Devoid
Antonyms: Full, Possessing, Endowed
Examples:
- After the storm, the village was bereft of electricity and communication.
- She felt bereft of hope when her father passed away.
Mnemonics:
- Think of the "e" in bereft as representing "emptiness" or "lack".
Etymology:
Origin:
Middle English from Old English berӣefan, from be- (indicating privation) + rӣefan (meaning to deprive).
Historical Usage:The word has been used since Middle English to convey a sense of loss or lacking.
Related Idioms:
Idiom:
"Bereft of"
Explanation:Describes being completely without or lacking something.
Misconceptions:
Misconception:
Assuming it only refers to material possessions being taken away.
Explanation:While bereft can describe being dispossessed of something, it can also refer to the emotional state of being bereaved or lacking a loved one.