I. əˈwāk verb
( awoke -wōk ; also awaked -wākt ; awaked “ ; also awoke -wōk ; or awok·en -wōkən ; awaking ; awakes )
Etymology: Middle English awaken (from Old English awacan, from a- (I) + wacan to awake, arise, be born) & awakien, from Old English awacian, from a- (I) + wacian to be awake, watch — more at wake
intransitive verb
1. : to emerge from sleep : regain consciousness after natural sleep : cease sleeping, dozing, or dreaming
the elderly bellboy awoke from his dreams — Sinclair Lewis
2.
a. : to emerge from a sleeplike state (as from inaction, indifference, or death) : bestir oneself
cast off your bonds, awake , arise — William Wordsworth
b. : to become active again : be resurgent
3. : to become conscious or aware — usually used with following to
unless the bar awakes to its opportunity and power — B.N.Cardozo
they awoke to their danger
transitive verb
1. : to arouse from sleep : bring back to consciousness after sleep
the sound of heavy footsteps in the driveway awoke the watchdogs
2.
a. : to arouse from a sleeplike state (as from inaction, indifference, or death)
I was soon awaked from this disagreeable reverie — Oliver Goldsmith
b. : to incite to activity : make active : stir up
certain of them awoke in me feelings of fear — Osbert Lancaster
II. adjective
Etymology: Middle English awake, awaken, past participle of awaken
1. : not asleep, dormant, or notably lethargic
the boys sat in their chairs half asleep but Mack was awake — John Steinbeck
2.
a. : in a state of vigilance, arousal, or activity
all the nationalistic elements now awake on the African continent — J.M.Houston
b. : fully conscious or appreciative : aware — usually used with following to
was awake to the dangers and disgrace of the existing maladministration — J.A.Froude
c. : brought back to consciousness : reactivated, reanimated
old memories suddenly awake again
Synonyms: see aware