wake

Definitions

1. verb

   To stop sleeping; often used as wake up.

   Examples

   • I woke up at four o'clock this morning.
   • She wakes early every day.
   ≈get up≈stir
2. verb

   To make someone stop sleeping; often used as wake up.

   Examples

   • The neighbor's car alarm woke me from a strange dream.
   • Please don't wake the baby.
   ≈awaken≈rouse≈arouse≈awake≈awaken +9 more
3. verb

   To cause a feeling or action to begin.

   Examples

   • The news woke old fears in him.
   • Even the king's speech woke little interest in the crowd.
   ≈awaken≈rouse≈abet≈actuate≈goose +80 more
4. verb

   In literary use, to become active or alert again.

   Examples

   • The village wakes slowly after the long winter.
   • Her interest in music woke when she heard the piano.
   ≈quicken≈start≈startle
5. verb

   To stay up at night beside a dead person before the funeral.

   Examples

   • Relatives waked the body through the night.
   • They waked their grandfather before the funeral.
   ≈bewake≈watch
6. verb

   In old-fashioned use, to stay awake.

   Examples

   • The mother woke all night beside her sick child.
   • He woke late into the night, worrying about money.
   ≈stay up≈watch
7. verb

   In old use, to stay alert and keep watch.

   Examples

   • The guards waked through the dark hours.
   • He waked over the sleeping camp all night.
   ≈bewake≈invigilate≈keep watch≈watch
8. verb

   In old use, to stay up late to celebrate.

   Examples

   • They waked until dawn, singing and telling stories.
   • The villagers waked together on midsummer's eve.
9. noun

   A gathering held before or after a funeral to remember the dead person.

   Examples

   • Friends gathered at the wake to share memories.
   • The family held the wake at their home.
10. noun

    In old use, a night spent awake for a serious or happy reason.

    Examples

    • The villagers kept a wake all night before the festival.
    • They held a wake and sang until morning.