a·wake (ə-wāk')

v., a·woke (ə-wōk'), or a·waked, a·waked, or a·wok·en (ə-wō'kən), a·wak·ing, a·wakes.

v.tr.

1. To rouse from sleep; waken.
2. To stir the interest of; excite.
3. To stir up (memories, for example).

v.intr.

1. To wake up.
2. To become alert.
3. To become aware or cognizant: awoke to reality. See Usage Note at wake¹.

adj.

1. Completely conscious; not in a state of sleep.
2. Vigilant; watchful. See synonyms at aware.

[Middle English awaken, from Old English āwacan : ā-, intensive pref. + wacan, wake; see wake¹.]

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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.

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