deprives

Deprives is the third-person singular present tense of the verb deprive. Deprive means to take something away from someone or to prevent them from having something they are entitled to, often by force, coercion, or legal authority. It can also refer to the removal of a right, privilege, or resource, or to withholding essential needs.

Etymology: The word derives from Latin deprīvāre through Old French depriver. The root priv- conveys the idea of absence or lack.

Usage: Deprives is transitive; it requires a direct object and can be followed by of to specify what is taken: “The policy deprives citizens of rights.” The passive form is “was deprived of”: “Citizens were deprived of due process.” In everyday speech, the term often contrasts with words like withhold or deny, depending on nuance and how formal the context is.

Context: In law and ethics, deprivation refers to the involuntary removal or denial of rights, liberties, resources, or access. Debates around deprivation frequently address legitimacy, necessity, proportionality, and due process, particularly when state actors are involved or when vulnerable groups are affected.

Examples: The ruling deprives the party of access to the hearing. Lack of funding deprives students of a proper education, illustrating how deprivation can impact individuals and communities across different domains.