Etymology Dictionary

WAKEN,   to awake.  (E.)   This verb is of considerable grammatical importance, and should be carefully studied, being one of a class not very common in mod. E., and peculiarly liable to be misunderstood.   The point is, that it was orig. intransitive, whereas in Shak. it is transitive only, 3 Hen. VI, iv. 3. 19, Romeo, iii. I. 28, iv. 4. 24, Oth. ii. I. 188; &c.   In mod. English, verbs in -en, by a singular change, are mostly transitive, such as strengthen, embolden, &c.; but this is just contrary to the usage, not only in M. E. and A. S., but in the Teut. languages generally.   The subject is discussed in Grimm's Grammar, ed. 1837, iv. 23, where he shews that Goth. auk-a, I eke, or increase, answers to Gk. αὐξάνω, whereas aukna (= I eke-n) answers to Gk. αὐξάνομαι, in the middle voice; and there was even in Gothic a third form aukada = Gk. αὐξάνομαι in the passive voice.   See note on Awaken, where a similar account is rendered.   β. The M. E. form is waknen or wakenen, intransitive.   'So þat he bigan to wakne' = so that he began to waken (or be aroused from sleep), Havelok, 2164.—A. S. wæcnan, to arise, be aroused, be born; Grein, ii. 642.   Allied to A. S. wacan, to wake; see Wake. + Icel. vakna, to become awake; allied to vaka, to wake. + Swed. vakna, allied to vaka. + Dan. vaagne, allied to vaage. + Goth. gawaknan, allied to wakan; whence pres. part. pl. gawaknandans = becoming awake, Luke, ix. 32.   Der. a-waken.