Dictionary

bewreak en · VERB

Etymology

From Middle English bewreken (“to take revenge, avenge”), equivalent to be- + wreak. Compare Old English bewrecan (“to drive away, exile, banish”). Compare awreak.

Meanings

1. (obsolete, transitive) To avenge; revenge.
   • Gemoted warriours to bewrecke her bedde 1778, Thomas Chatterton, The Rowley Poems:
2. (transitive) To give vent in action to (incensed feelings).
   • The Londoners seeing that they could get no vantage against the duke, who was without their reach, to bewreak their anger they took his arms, which in most despiteful wise they hanged up in the open places of the city in sign of reproach, as for a traitor; […] 1841, John Foxe, The History of John Wickliffe, page 21:

Forms