/ven"jeuhns/ , n.
1. infliction of injury, harm, humiliation, or the like, on a person by another who has been harmed by that person; violent revenge: But have you the right to vengeance?
2. an act or opportunity of inflicting such trouble: to take one's vengeance.
3. the desire for revenge: a man full of vengeance.
4. Obs. hurt; injury.
5. Obs. curse; imprecation.
6. with a vengeance ,
a. with force or violence.
b. greatly; extremely.
c. to an unreasonable, excessive, or surprising degree: He attacked the job with a vengeance.
[ 1250-1300; ME vengi ( er ) to avenge (see VENGE) + -ance -ANCE ]
Syn. 1. requital, retaliation. See revenge .
Ant. 1. forgiveness.