a ‧ wak ‧ en /əˈweɪkən/ BrE AmE verb formal
[ Language: Old English ; Origin: awæcnian , from wæcnian ; ⇨ ↑ waken ]
1 . [intransitive and transitive] to wake up or to make someone wake up:
She was awakened by a noise at two in the morning.
Bill slept a little until he was awakened to take his turn on guard.
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In everyday English, people usually use wake up rather than awaken :
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She was woken up by the phone ringing.
2 . [transitive] if something awakens an emotion, interest, memory etc it makes you suddenly begin to feel that emotion etc:
Early involvement in music can awaken an interest that will last a lifetime.
awaken somebody to something phrasal verb
to make someone understand a situation and its possible effects:
We must awaken people to the dangers for the environment.