A-vēn'ge'1, v. t.
v. t. [imp. & p. p. AVENGED; p. pr. & vb. n. AVENGING.] [O. Fr. avengier, vengier, vanger, N. Fr. revenger, Pr. vengar, venjar, Sp. vengar, Pg. vingar, It. vengiare, from Lat. vindicāre, to revenge, avenge.]
Sense 1. To take satisfaction for by punishing the injuring party; to vindicate by inflicting pain or evil on the wrong-doer.
Avenge, O Lord, thy slaughtered saints, whose bones Lie scattered on the Alpine mountains cold. Milton.
He will avenge the blood of his servants. Deut. xxxii. 43.
Sense 2. To treat revengefully; to execute vengeance upon. [Obs.]
Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear grudge against, the children of thy people. Levit. xix. 18.
Synonyms—TO AVENGE, REVENGE. To avenge, in modern usage, is to inflict just punishment upon evil-doers in behalf of ourselves, or others for whom we act; as, to avenge one's wrongs, to avenge the injuries of the suffering and innocent. To revenge is to inflict pain or injury for the simple indulgence of resentful and malicious feelings. The former may at times be a duty; the latter is one of the worst exhibitions of human character.
But his face Deep scars of thunder had intrenched, and care Sat on his faded cheek; but under brows Of dauntless courage and considerate pride Waiting revenge. Milton.