tr.v., a·venged, a·veng·ing, a·veng·es.
- To inflict a punishment or penalty in return for; revenge: avenge a murder.
- To take vengeance on behalf of: avenged their wronged parents.
[Middle English avengen, from Old French avengier : a-, to (from Latin ad-; see ad-) + vengier, to vindicate (from Latin vindicāre, to claim; see vindicate).]
avenger a·veng'er n.avengingly a·veng'ing·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
