waken

[ wey-kuhn ]

verb (used with object)

1. to rouse from sleep; wake; awake; awaken.
2. to rouse from inactivity; stir up or excite; arouse; awaken:

   to waken the reader's interest.

verb (used without object)

1. to wake, or become awake; awaken.

waken

/ ˈweɪkən /

verb

1. to rouse or be roused from sleep or some other inactive state

Usage

See wake 1

Derived Forms

• ˈwakener, noun

Other Words From

• waken·er noun
• re·waken verb
• un·wakened adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of waken¹

before 900; Middle English waknen, Old English wæcnan; cognate with Old Norse vakna; akin to wake ¹; -en ¹

Example Sentences

Drink, and go to sleep—sleep so sound that you waken only when Moukir and Nakir, the death angels, sift soul from body.

From Project Gutenberg

The servant, who carried her breakfast, reported her asleep, and the careful mother would not let them waken her.

From Project Gutenberg

Humphrey and Pablo both set off, and then Edward went to waken the boy, still lying on the bed.

From Project Gutenberg

A conscience that had overslept itself began to stir and waken.

From Project Gutenberg

"Death must come to all," some one would waken up to murmur.

From Project Gutenberg