Rouse1, v. t.
v. t. [imp. & p. p. ROUSED; p. pr. & vb. n. ROUSING.] [A-S. râsian, ārāsian. See RAISE and AROUSE.]
- To wake from sleep or repose; as, to rouse one early, or suddenly.
- To excite to lively thought or action from a state of idleness, languor, stupidity, or inattention. “To rouse up a people the most phlegmatic of any in Christendom.” Atterbury.
- To awaken into activity, as the attention, or some passion, emotion, or faculty.
- To put into motion: to agitate. “Blustering winds that roused the sea.” Milton.
- To startle or surprise.
Rouse the fleet hart, and cheer the opening hound. Pope.