lyke-wake

British  

/ ˈlaɪkˌweɪk /

noun

1. a watch held over a dead person, often with festivities

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Etymology

Origin of lyke-wake

C16: perhaps from Old Norse; see _{lych gate} , _wake ¹

Example Sentences

He laid her softly against his breast, and wrapped his coat warmly about her, and so sat he the night through, and held true lyke-wake over his wife and his happiness.

From Seed-time and Harvest A Novel by Reuter, Fritz

But since that tragic night when my sorrow was transformed into joy at the lyke-wake in the old room, in truth the world is no longer what it was.

From Light by Wray, Fitzwater

He sat there all night long, keeping a true lyke-wake by his wife and his dead happiness.

From An Old Story of My Farming Days Vol. I (of III). (Ut Mine Stromtid) by Reuter, Fritz