awreak

English

Etymology

From Old English awrecan, corresponding to a- +‎ wreak.

Verb

awreak (third-person singular simple present awreaks, present participle awreaking, simple past awroke, past participle awroke or awroken)

1. (obsolete) To avenge, take vengeance on.
   • 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, chapter X, in Le Morte Darthur, book I:

     SO after the feste and iourneye kynge Arthur drewe hym vnto london / and soo by the counceil of Merlyn the kyng lete calle his barons to coūceil / for Merlyn had told the kynge that the sixe kynges that made warre vpon hym wold in al haste be awroke on hym & on his landys wherfor the kyng asked counceil at hem al / they coude no counceil gyue but said they were bygge ynough

     SO after the feast and journey, King Arthur drew him unto London, and so by the counsel of Merlin, the king let call his barons to council, for Merlin had told the king that the six kings that made war upon him would in all haste be awroke on him and on his lands. Wherefore the king asked counsel at them all. They could no counsel give, but said they were big enough.

Anagrams

• awaker