Where does “reif” come from?

reif (English) comes from Middle English ref, from Old English rēaf, from Proto-West Germanic raub, from Proto-Germanic raubō, from Proto-Indo-European reup- — to break; to tear, peel.

reif (English): Robbery

Definitions

  1. Robbery

Ancestry of “reif”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle EnglishrefAlternative form of reif
2Old Englishrēafspoils, booty; spoils, booty, dress, armour,...
3Proto-West Germanicraubrape, pillage, robbery; that which is stolen,...
4Proto-Germanicraubōrift
5Proto-Indo-Europeanreup-to break; to tear, peel
Every word from Proto-Indo-European reup- →Every word from Proto-Germanic raubō →Every word from Proto-West Germanic raub →