revengen.
/rᵻˈvɛn(d)ʒ/, U.S. /rəˈvɛndʒ/, /riˈvɛndʒ/ 1.
a. The action of hurting, harming, or otherwise obtaining satisfaction from someone in return for an injury or wrong suffered at his or her hands; satisfaction obtained by repaying an injury or wrong. Cf. vengeance n., adv., and adj. 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > revenge > [noun]
wrakec825
wrackc900
wrechec1175
yielda1200
wrakedomc1275
vengeancea1300
vengement1338
awreaking1340
rewardc1350
revengeancec1480
wratha1500
avengementa1513
revengementa1513
revengea1525
avengeance1535
avenge1568
requital1569
ultion1575
venge1587
wreck1591
revanche1615
vindict1639
payback1973
a1525 (a1500) Sc. Troy Bk. (Douce) l. 1946 in C. Horstmann Barbour's Legendensammlung (1882) II. 280 Þai socht How to rewenge come þai mocht.
1553 J. Brende tr. Q. Curtius Rufus Hist. viii. f. 172v He ranne vpon his enemies, and vnmyndefull of all thynges sauing of reueng, slewe many wyth hys pike and dyuers wyth hys sworde.
1592 T. Kyd Trueth Murthering of Brewen 1 The blood of the iust Abel cried..for vengeance & reuenge on the murderer.
1600 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream ii. i. 89 The windes,..As in reuenge, haue suckt vp, from the Sea, Contagious fogges. View more context for this quotation
1616 B. Jonson Epicœne iv. v, in Wks. I. 579 Ô reuenge, how sweet art thou! View more context for this quotation
1690 J. Norris Christian Blessedness 78 Private Revenge therefore is universally to be condemn'd, as utterly unlawful.
1721 E. Young Revenge i. i What is revenge, but courage to call in Our honour's debts?
1771 O. Goldsmith Hist. Eng. IV. 404 A desire of revenge upon the plunderers of his country.
1819 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto I cxxiv. 65 Sweet is revenge—especially to women.
1877 J. C. Geikie Life & Words Christ II. xxxvi. 71 Plato..held that revenge was wrong.
1927 V. Woolf To Lighthouse i. xvii. 130 If she wanted revenge take it by laughing at him?
1967 J. Singer & E. Gottlieb tr. I. B. Singer Manor ii. xxii. 301 His spirit no longer thirsted for revenge.
1990 N. Annan Our Age vi. 85 Wounds would be inflicted; that was inevitable. But the desire to wound back in revenge must be resisted.
b. The desire to repay or obtain satisfaction for an injury or wrong; vengefulness. Formerly also in plural.
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the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > revenge > [noun] > desire for or tendency to
revenge1559
revengefulnessa1586
vindicativeness1655
vindictiveness1676
vengefulness1727
vindictivolence1865
1559 T. Brice Compend. Reg. Metre sig. C.iiii v With reuenge, and mortall paine when these two fathers, were put to deth we wisht for our, Elizabeth.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) iii. xviii. sig. Ss6v Fury in his eyes, and reuenge in his hart.
a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) v. iii. 10 I haue forgiuen and forgotten all, Though my reuenges were high bent vpon him. View more context for this quotation
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost i. 35 Th' infernal Serpent.., whose guile Stird up with Envy and Revenge, deceiv'd The Mother of Mankinde. View more context for this quotation
1690 J. Norris Christian Blessedness 184 That he be free from Revenge, which is another great Trespasser against Peace.
1703 W. Burkitt Expos. Notes New Test. Luke vi. 29 Revenge is a very troublesome and vexatious passion.
1776 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall I. xiv. 428 The Prætorians, conscious that their offences were beyond the reach of mercy, were animated by revenge and despair.
1800 T. Cogan Philos. Treat. Passions ii. ii. 166 Revenge is an insatiable desire to sacrifice every consideration of pity and humanity to the principle of vindictive justice.
1866 G. MacDonald Ann. Quiet Neighb. (1878) xxviii. 490 Revenge had passed away, but revenge is of death and deadly.
1902 W. James Varieties Relig. Experience viii. 176 The new birth..may be produced by the irruption into the individual's life of some new stimulus or passion, such as love, ambition, cupidity, revenge, or patriotic devotion.
1974 A. Lurie War between Tates (1977) xiii. 256 He wants to reduce her..to poverty, out of greed and revenge.
2006 G. Reiss in J. Kuriansky Terror in Holy Land ii. xv. 108 Some conflicts fueled by revenge can burn themselves out at a point when so much blood has been spilled that neither side can take it anymore.
c. Vengeance personified. Now rare.
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the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > revenge > [noun] > personified
revenge1569
vengeance1604
1569 E. Elviden Closet of Counsells f. 67 v Though wrath is stayd, ye shame therof wyll neuer cease: For wrath, reuenge, and angers thrall, do leade it in a lease.
1594 W. Shakespeare Titus Andronicus v. ii. 146 Tamora. Reuenge now goes, To lay a complot to betray thy foes. Titus. I know thou dost and sweet Reuenge farewell. View more context for this quotation
1607 T. Middleton Revengers Trag. i. sig. A2v Faith giue Reuenge her due Sha's kept touch hetherto.
1653 Duchess of Newcastle Poems & Fancies 179 Revenge as Canoneer, which took the Aime.
1747 W. Collins Odes 48 Revenge impatient rose, He threw his blood-stain'd Sword in Thunder down.
1797 A. Radcliffe Italian II. iv. 136 When pride and revenge speak in her breast, she defies obstacles, and laughs at crimes!
1822 P. B. Shelley Hellas 36 Revenge and wrong bring forth their kind, The foul cubs like their parents are.
1869 G. H. Boker Königsmark iv. 121 Remorse can have no agonies to match The gnawing teeth of unappeased revenge!
1978 G. Vizenor Darkness in Saint Louis Bearheart 11 Evil revenge is blind and cannot be appeased by the living.
2. With possessive adjective.† b. The avenging of a person. Obsolete.
a. A person's desire for vengeance; the action of gratifying this.
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the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > revenge > [noun] > desire for or tendency to > gratification of
revengea1547
a1547 Earl of Surrey tr. Virgil Certain Bks. Aenæis (1557) ii. sig. Aiii That if my chaunce were euer to return Victor to Arge, to folowe my reuenge.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) iii. xix. sig. Tt3 Being resolued..to satisfie her owne reuenge in their punishment.
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iii. i. 50 If it will feede nothing else, it will feede my reuenge . View more context for this quotation
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xxvii. 155 [He] breaks the Law, and protects himselfe for the future, by the terrour of his private revenge.
1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 349 If he be once affronted, he will never leave you, Night or Day, till he has his Revenge.
a1771 T. Gray tr. Dante in Wks. (1884) I. 158 Hear My Wrongs, and from them judge of my Revenge.
1841 R. W. Emerson Ess. 1st Ser. (Boston ed.) vii. 192 On him who scorned the world, as he said, the scorned world wreaks its revenge.
1887 H. R. Haggard Allan Quatermain iv. 57 I shook my fist in his face and vowed to have my revenge.
1927 A. C. Parker Indian How Bk. vii. lxv. 291 Up came a great horde of the Cherokee, armed and ready to glut their revenge upon the Seneca villages.
1991 M. Dibdin Dirty Tricks (1992) 208 It completed my revenge for the insults and injuries I had sustained in the past.
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the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > revenge > [noun] > the avenging of a person
revenge1553
wreak1613
1553 J. Brende tr. Q. Curtius Rufus Hist. v. f. 95 He affirming that the gods were come to his reueng, and calling for the assistaunce of Alexander, said that in no wyse he woulde go wyth traitors.
1570 in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891–3) xiv. 79 As..now his deith [is] plainly furthschawin, Sa sall all blyithnes be abhorde, Quhill his reuenge be alswa knawin.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) i. vii. 35 You all consented vnto Salisburies death, For none would strike a stroake in his reuenge . View more context for this quotation
1653 tr. F. Carmeni Nissena 151 Hearing that her beloved Doralbo had run hazard of his life, onely in her revenge.
3. An act of repaying a wrong or injury suffered. Formerly also of the person inflicting the original wrong. Also figurative.
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the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > revenge > [noun] > action of taking revenge > act or instance of
vengeancea1300
wreaka1300
wrake13..
wrechea1325
revenge1548
1548 N. Bodrugan Epitome Title to Souereigntie Scotl. sig. c.ijv Thought the death of the father no sufficient reuenge, to the iniury dooen by the graundefather.
c1580 ( tr. Bk. Alexander (1929) IV. ii. l. 10182 He thocht to tak..Ane reuenge of his fatheris deid.
1625 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 21 Publique Reuenges, are, for the most part, Fortunate... But in priuate Reuenges it is not so.
1655 W. Gouge & T. Gouge Learned Comm. Hebrewes (x. 29) ii. 499 In regard of that violent revenge he sought to do to the professors of the Christian Religion.
1741 tr. Marquis d'Argens Chinese Lett. vi. 34 They delay to take a Revenge,..and when they find an Opportunity, they snap at it greedily.
1771 O. Goldsmith Hist. Eng. II. 179 Led them up to London, to take a signal revenge of his enemies.
a1822 P. B. Shelley Cyclops in Posthumous Poems (1824) 361 I have taken A full revenge for your unnatural feast.
1854 H. H. Milman Hist. Lat. Christianity II. iv. vi. 120 The revenge suggested by the malice of Sabinianus was the public destruction of the works of Gregory.
1892 R. L. Stevenson & L. Osbourne Wrecker xviii. 272 The city took a fine revenge of me on my return.
1920 M. Mitchell Let. 13 Mar. in Dynamo going to Waste (1985) 69 Suppose, on her wedding day you..took the unique revenge of giving her a last kiss, in which you said goodbye to her as a physical being.
1996 Entertainm. Weekly 3 May 66/3 A revenge that includes seducing Alex's lunkhead of a son.
4. Repayment of an injury or wrong by the infliction of hurt or harm. Also: an instance of this. Now rare and somewhat archaic.
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the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > revenge > [noun] > of a wrong or injury
revenge1548
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. ccxlix Ye dedes of the borders wer as extreme as might be, and our subiectes spoyled: and in a roade made by sir Robert Bowes for a reuenge therof, thesame sir Robert Bowes with many other taken prisoners.
1568 G. Buchanan Indictm. Mary Queen of Scots (1923) 47 Sche come to the Lordis assemblit for revenge of the murtheur.
1615 G. Sandys Relation of Journey (1637) 85 Whose chiefe employment is..to labour a revenge of wrongs, and a restitution of losses.
1633 Bp. J. Hall Plaine Explic. Hard Texts ii. 163 Which God in his mercy, would not take speedy revenge of.
1702 Eng. Theophrastus 206 The Revenge of that Wrong, puts the Law out of Office.
1776 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall I. iii. 62 Filial piety had required at his hands the revenge of his father's murder.
1832 B. B. Thatcher Indian Biogr. I. xi. 211 He interested himself, both as sachem and brother, in the revenge of that outrage.
1847 L. H. Kerr tr. L. von Ranke Hist. Servia 59 It is remarkable that the revenge of murder is unknown.
1958 L. Segy Afr. Sculpt. 18 The African believed that killing an enemy meant the destruction of his body only; that the spirit remained free—a circumstance which allowed for the revenge of the slaying.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > [noun]
justice?a1160
penancec1300
defensiona1382
forfeiture1390
punishment1402
revengementa1513
penition1547
revenge1561
infliction1590
supplice1646
vindictive1726
auto-da-fé1767
woodshedding1940
knuckle-rapping1944
society > authority > punishment > retributive punishment > [noun] > act or instance of
vengeancea1300
wreaka1300
wrake13..
wrechea1325
revenge1561
1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin Inst. Christian Relig. f. 54 There is a certayne speciall reuenge proclaymed agaynst them that vse his name in vayne.
1570 in 6th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1877) App. 652/2 My twa sonis..ar myndit..to suyt the rawenge of the murtouraris.
1592 R. Greene Philomela sig. G Therfore haue I here produced them in open court, that my dishonors may end in their reuenge.
1633 Bp. J. Hall Plaine Explic. Hard Texts ii. 183 That my powerfull, and miraculous revenges of thee [sc. Pharaoh], might bee declared abroad.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 142 Nor (if the Fates assist not) canst thou scape The just Revenge of that intended Rape. View more context for this quotation
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society > leisure > sport > match or competition > [noun] > types of
all comersc1450
after-gamea1500
fore-game1594
revenge1616
plate1639
set-to1743
return match1753
bye1754
scrub-race1791
anybody's game (also race, match)1826
return1834
barney1843
bonspiel1858
handicap1861
pennant1865
home-and-home1868
benefit match1871
run-off1873
international1877
American tournament1878
Grand Prix1879
single1884
friendly1885
all-comers1889
pair1890
championship1893
round robin1894
replay1895
Olympiad1896
junior varsity1902
lightning tournament1903
rematch1903
road trip1903
pickup1905
freestyle1906
marathon1908
test1908
Derby1909
scrimmage1910
eliminator1911
twosome1911
triala1914
quadrangular1916
slug-fest1916
varsity match1921
needle contest1922
curtain jerker1923
needle match1923
open1926
needle fight1927
knock-out1928
shirt1930
masters1933
pro-amateur1934
tune-up1934
World Cup1934
pro-am1937
state1941
sizzler1942
runathon1943
mismatch1954
run-out1955
match-up1959
squeaker1961
triple-header1961
Super Bowl1967
invitational1968
needle game1970
major1976
slobberknocker1986
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > [noun] > requital or repayment > specifically in games
revenge1616
1616 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Scornful Ladie v. sig. I3 Drie vp your eies forsooth, you shall not thinke we are all vnciuill, all such beasts as these. Would I knew how to giue you a reuenge.
1672 W. Wycherley Love in Wood v. vi I am afraid then you would give me my revenge, and make me jealous of you.
1738 J. Swift Compl. Coll. Genteel Conversat. 215 Well, Miss, you'll have a sad Husband, you have such good Luck at Cards... Well, my Lady Smart, I'll give you Revenge whenever you please.
1792 R. Bage Man as he Is III. lxix. 154 When the Count..offered to give him his revenge at hazard, the same evening, he accepted the offer.
1830 R. Hardie Hoyle made Familiar 106 (Ecarte) Bets..made on condition of revenge are binding only against the winner.
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop ii. xlii. 29 He gives me my revenge, mind,..he stakes coin against coin.
1850 W. M. Thackeray Pendennis II. v. 47 Three hundred [gold napoleons] which I lost when I had my revenge.
Phrases
P1. in revenge for (also of): in return or retaliation for; (formerly also) †in recompense for (obsolete).
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society > authority > punishment > retributive punishment > as retributive punishment for [phrase]
in wrake ofc1480
in revenge for (also of)1553
in (or for) wreak ofa1596
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > reward or a reward > as reward or in recompense [phrase]
to meedOE
to meeding?a1300
in revenge for (also of)1553
for one's painsa1563
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > revenge > in revenge or retaliation (for) [phrase]
in wrake ofc1480
in revenge for (also of)1553
in (or for) wreak ofa1596
1553 R. Eden tr. S. Münster Treat. Newe India sig. H.iiij Other Kinges..in reuenge therof, came to the town where the Spaniardes lay, which they ouercame & burnt.
1596 A. Munday tr. 1st Pt. Palmerin of Eng. l Palmerin delivered the castle againe to Dramcisiand, who both in revenge of his worthinesse, and memorie of his owne good lucke called it the Invisible Fort of Fortune.
1597 G. Markham tr. G. Pétau de Maulette Deuoreux f. 15 [He] Should in reuenge for their impietie Raine sharpe destruction.
1661 Cure for Cuckold iv. i. sig. F This fellow in revenge for this, informs against the Bawd that kept the house.
1680 R. Morden Geogr. Rectified (1685) 391 Destroyed in revenge of so great a danger.
1720 D. Defoe Life Capt. Singleton 152 Our Men that discovered him, shot him in Revenge of the Mischief he had done.
1760 C. Lennox Lady's Museum I. 724 Sir Charles, either following the motions of his natural inconstancy, or in revenge of her supposed contempt of him, had married Harriot.
1780 H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Painting (ed. 2) IV. iv. 79 In revenge for this epistle, Hogarth caricaturaed Churchill under the form of a canonical bear.
a1822 P. B. Shelley Cyclops in Posthumous Poems (1824) 356 Fire will burn his lamp-like eyes In revenge of such a feast!
1868 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest II. viii. 287 In revenge for a jesting and not very intelligible ballad sung against him.
1873 B. Harte Mliss iv. 11/1 This was done in revenge of what she considered a second figurative obtrusion of Clytie's excellences upon her.
1918 Munsey's Mag. Dec. 422/2 Nothing would be gained for civilization by wrecking it in revenge for the deliberate desecration of the cathedral of Rheims.
1960 R. Duffell tr. K. Birket-Smith Primitive Man & his Ways 187 Most battles were purely in revenge of some earlier assault.
2003 Metro (London ed.) 19 Sept. 25/1 Pfeiffer plays an artist, Ingrid, who falls for a schmuck and takes the step of poisoning him in revenge for his infidelity.
P2. to take (one's) revenge: to obtain repayment or retaliation for an injury or wrong sustained; to exact vengeance (on a person).
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1611 Bible (King James) Jer. xx. 10 We shall preuaile against him, and we shall take our reuenge on him. View more context for this quotation
1654 E. Wolley tr. ‘G. de Scudéry’ Curia Politiæ 52 To take revenge on a feeble, wounded, dying Penitentiarie, weeping, and bleeding for his crimes.
1721 G. Jacob Treat. Laws i. 116 A Defence ought to be unblameable, not to take Revenge, but to Repulse the Injury.
1797 Ld. Nelson in A. Duncan Life (1806) 44 The Spaniards threaten us they will come out and take their revenge.
1825 S. T. Coleridge Coll. Lett. (1971) V. 497 Nature..is sure to get the better of Lady Mind in the long run, and to take her revenge too.
1855 Ld. Tennyson Maud iii, in Maud & Other Poems 12 Taking revenge too deep for a transient wrong.
1955 D. Eden Darling Clementine (1959) 164 It was like feeding a hungry monster who, if he were to remain unfed, would take revenge by devouring oneself.
1995 Observer 19 Nov. 6/4 The edible dormouse, the Roman legionary's equivalent of a Big Mac, is taking its revenge.
P3. revenge is sweet: used to express relish or pleasure in the exacting of revenge.
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1606 R. Knolles tr. J. Bodin Six Bks. Common-weale v. iv. 591 Thanks and the acknowledging of a benefit is troublesome to an ingratefull person, and reuenge is sweet.
1691 T. Southerne Sir Anthony Love iv. i. 56 Revenge is sweet indeed; it must be sweet; A sweet Revenge, upon so sweet a Boy.
1773 London Mag. July 333/2 It is often the cruel effect of revenge, through the common though false notion among men, that revenge is sweet.
1833 J. Hall Harpe's Head xx. 199 ‘Revenge is sweet!’ shouted one... ‘It is good, and pleasing to the spirit of the warrior, to witness the death-pang of the enemy he hates!’ exclaimed another human monster.
1885 C. G. Leland Brand-new Ballads 62 In the front seat sat the Gallagher, And laughed until he cried. Revenge is sweet!
1922 O. W. Smith Bk. of Pike ix. 125 So I had my revenge, and revenge is sweet.
1969 Black Belt May 16 Revenge is sweet as a determined Chuck Norris batters Luis Delgado down at NY pro meet, thereby revenging his loss to Luis at East Vs. West encounter.
2005 Guardian 5 Nov. (Money section) 12/1 Revenge is sweet. And little's sweeter than hitting back at credit card companies.
P4. In phrases in which the postponement of revenge is likened to the eating of a cold dish. Now usually in revenge is a dish best served cold and variants: vengeance is more satisfying when exacted in cold blood. [In quot. 1885 after German das Gericht der Revanche kalt zu essen (1884 in the passage alluded to).]
ΚΠ
1871 A. S. Stephens Palaces & Prisons cv. 564 ‘Revenge is a dish that can be eaten cold.’ It can be locked up there, and I can wait.
1885 C. Lowe Prince Bismarck I. iv. 146 He had defended Olmütz, it is true, but only from motives of immediate policy, and with a secret resolution to ‘eat the dish of his revenge cold instead of hot’.
1918 N.Y. Times 1 July 2/4 Reprisals on Mayence and Cologne can wait. Revenge is a dish which is very good eating when cold.
1969 M. Puzo Godfather vii. xxviii. 404 Don Corleone nodded. ‘Revenge is a dish that tastes best when it is cold,’ he said.
1982 V. N. McIntyre Star Trek II 108 Kirk, old friend, do you know the Klingon proverb, ‘Revenge is a dish best served cold’?
1999 F. Dettori in Racing Post (Nexis) 8 Nov. 3 Revenge is a plate best served cold and today mine is freezing. I'm glad to put the ghost of Swain behind me after last year.
2007 B. Lyga Boy Toy 76 Five years is a long time to wait, even if you think revenge is a dish best served cold.
P5. Originally U.S. In revenge of the ——, used humorously with allusion to the formulaic titles of low-budget or sensationalist horror films featuring a violent uprising of the thing specified (cf. quot. 1943).
ΚΠ
1943 (title of film) Revenge of the Zombies.]
1966 R. Brautigan in TriQuarterly Winter 55 (short story title) Revenge of the lawn.
1978 D. Mamet (title of play) Revenge of the space pandas... A comedy.
1984 (title of film) Revenge of the Nerds.
1987 R. Starr Richard Hadfield 118 (heading) Revenge of the Faded Pansy.
1990 N.Y. Woman Apr. 116/1 ‘What is this?’ he said, laughing in an unfriendly way. ‘The revenge of the bimbos?’
1997 Times 5 Mar. (Interface section) 3/5 (heading) Revenge of the cyberwomen.
2006 New Yorker 4 Sept. 42/3 They made a devil's bargain some eighty years ago, and now they're stuck with it. Call it the revenge of the middleman.
Compounds
C1.
revenge fantasy n. [after German Rachephantasie (1907 in the passage translated in quot. 1914)]
ΚΠ
1914 A. A. Brill tr. S. Freud Psychopathol. Everyday Life xii. 315 My thoughts suddenly merged into a childish revenge-fantasy against a certain married couple.
2009 Ottawa Citizen (Nexis) 6 June (Final ed.) f1 It's easy to imagine how the behaviour started out as fervent revenge fantasies, the kind that have crossed the minds of everyone who has ever been cheated on or fired.
revenge killing n.
ΚΠ
1914 Lincoln (Nebraska) Daily Star 3 May 1/5 The strikers believed to be responsible for the revenge killings at Forbes.
1975 O. Sela Bengali Inheritance xvii. 147 That war was long over... A revenge killing after all this time was absurd.
2004 Western Morning News (Plymouth) (Nexis) 11 Aug. 22 The mother of a convicted murderer and her husband, who were gunned down in a suspected revenge killing, had fled to a seaside resort fearing for their lives.
revenge mission n.
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1902 Edinb. Rev. July 180 With the data of the play, its business, according to modern ideas, is to exhibit the progress of the conflict between Hamlet's temperament, and his duty, between his irresolution and his revenge ‘mission’.
2004 N. Barham Dis/Connected 29 Tarantino's fourth movie, and certainly his most gory, features Uma Thurman on a revenge mission, slashing her way through legions of Yakuza gangsters.
revenge seeker n.
ΚΠ
1879 M. R. Cartmell Viking ii. 30 With a moral courage that ought to command respect he refused to be included in that terrible band of revenge-seekers.
1961 Guardian 25 Nov. 1/4 It was essential..to ‘tie the hands of West German militarists and revenge-seekers’.
1992 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 5 Mar. 18/1 For its part the opposition calls the old Communists ‘revenge seekers’.
C2. † revenge heart n. Obsolete rare a desire for vengeance.
ΚΠ
1600 in R. Pitcairn Criminal Trials Scotl. (1833) II. 297 Heuand ane rewendge hairt for the bluid of his fader.
revenge play n. = revenge tragedy n.
ΚΠ
1886 F. G. Fleay Chron. Hist. Life & Work William Shakespeare iv. 215 Revenge-plays with ghosts in them were the rage for the next four years.
1920 T. S. Eliot Sacred Wood 89 The original play of Kyd was, like certain other revenge plays, in two parts of five acts each.
2004 S. Homan Directing Shakespeare vii. 93 In the generic Elizabethan revenge play the hero spends all of his or her efforts devising the most artful revenge.
revenge plot n. (a) a scheme or conspiracy to avenge an injury or wrong; (b) a storyline in a literary or dramatic work dealing with the pursuit of vengeance.
ΚΠ
1888 Marshfield (Wisconsin) Times 27 July 2/8 (heading) The revenge plot said to have been formulated by the New York revolutionist.
1916 R. Brooke J. Webster & Elizabethan Drama iv. 90 Tourneur took the atmosphere, and discarded the revenge-plot, in The Atheist's Tragedy.
1988 Weekly World News 3 May 43/1 A scheming ex-doctor was sent back to prison before he could carry out a bizarre revenge plot.
2007 N. Moschovakis in S. Cohen Shakespeare & Hist. Formalism ii. vi. 148 These allusions..may have enabled some members of Hamlet's early audience to identify the form of its revenge plot conceptually with that of Vergil's epic.
revenge porn n. (a) (originally) a subgenre of action film characterized by a particularly violent or sensational revenge plot (cf. porn n.2 2); (b) (now usually) sexually explicit or revealing images of a person distributed (esp. on the internet), typically by a former partner, without the consent of the subject and with the intention of causing distress; the action or fact of sharing such material.
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1993 Toronto Star 15 Oct. b4/5 Without Leary, Judgment Night would be..a binge of revenge-porn.
2002 Contra Costa (Calif.) Times (Nexis) 8 Feb. (Timeout section) 6 ‘Collateral Damage’, a piece of revenge porn starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
2007 www.urbandictionary.com 25 Sept. (O.E.D. archive) Revenge porn, homemade porn uploaded by ex girlfriend or (usually) ex boyfriend..as means of humiliating the ex or just for own amusement.
2008 Details Nov. 96 There's some debate over whether revenge porn..ought to be codified as a crime.
2014 D. K. Citron Hate Crimes in Cyberspace ii. vi. 145 After their breakup, he..uploaded her nude photo and contact information to a revenge porn site.
revenge tragedy n. a drama based on a quest for vengeance; spec. a style of drama popular in England during the late 16th and early 17th centuries and typically featuring scenes of carnage and mutilation.
ΚΠ
1900 G. B. Churchill Richard III to Shakespeare ii. 400 The revenge tragedy in England derived its origin..from those plays of Seneca which have for their subject the terrible history of the house of Pelops.
1957 N. Frye Anat. Crit. 209 The revenge-tragedy is a simple tragic structure.
1997 Sight & Sound Jan. 46/3 And like the revenge tragedies Bussy D'Ambois or The Duchess of Malfi , Sleepers comes equipped with questionable claims to be a fictionalisation of ‘true’ events.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2010; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
revengev.
/rᵻˈvɛn(d)ʒ/, U.S. /rəˈvɛndʒ/, /riˈvɛndʒ/ 1.
a. transitive. In passive. To exact vengeance, obtain retribution (on or upon, formerly also †of, a person).In quot. a1470 of an injury or wrong received.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > revenge > take or execute revenge [verb (intransitive)] > be revenged
avengec1375
awreak1377
vengec1380
revenge?a1425
to get one's own back1887
?a1425 (c1400) Mandeville's Trav. (Titus C.xvi) (1919) 186 (MED) He was revenged of his enemyes be his sotyll desceytes & false cawteles.
a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll.) 29 They wolde be revenged of the damage that they had takyn that day.
a1500 (c1425) Andrew of Wyntoun Oryg. Cron. Scotl. (Nero) iv. l. 524 Hir awantagis for to se How best scho mycht rawengit be.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection ii. sig. Iiiii Josue commaunded the sonne to stande styll in one place, vnto he were reuenged vpon his ennemies.
1578 J. Rolland Seuin Seages 58 My self..Sall neuer eit, quhill I reuengit be Vpon ȝour hound.
1603 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iii. iii. 75 And thus hee dies: and so am I reuenged.
1683 W. Penn Acc. in R. Burton Eng. Emp. Amer. (1685) 116 In this they are sufficiently revenged on us.
1736 Gentleman's Mag. June 331/2 Failing in that, she was amply revenged upon him in the next Reign.
1773 Observ. State of Poor 67 The poor are but too often revenged on their oppressors, by making reprisals on their property.
1820 W. Scott Let. 23 July (1934) VI. 235 She has..a most decided desire to be revenged of him.
1881 A. Trollope Ayala's Angel II. xxxii. 120 If I can only live to be revenged on that traitor then I shall die contented.
1944 P. W. Harsh Handbk. Classical Drama i. iv. 175 If her triumph over her enemies is to be complete she must make them suffer in such a way that they cannot themselves be revenged upon her.
1965 L. J. Edinger Kurt Schumacher iv. 55 The camps..served to satisfy the desire of individual Nazis to be revenged on political enemies and to settle personal scores.
1991 R. Butters Look about & Die (BNC) 107 Later, he would be revenged upon them all.
b. transitive (reflexive). To avenge oneself; to take revenge (on or upon, formerly also †of, a person). Also followed by for, †of an injury or wrong received.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > retributive punishment > inflict retributive punishment for oneself [verb (reflexive)]
wreakc950
awreaka1250
vengea1340
avengec1380
wreche1398
revengec1425
requite1613
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > revenge > execute revenge [verb (reflexive)]
wreakc950
awreaka1250
vengea1340
avengec1380
wreche1398
revengec1425
right1598
requite1613
resent1618
c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) ii. 1172 (MED) We myȝt..desyren vs iustly to revenge A-fore þe goddis of so hiȝe offence.
c1485 ( G. Hay Bk. Law of Armys (2005) 187 Quhethir gif ane Abbot wald slaa ane of his monkis, quhethir aw he to defend him agayn his Abbot and to reuenge him.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xviii. 232 He tuk purpo for to ryde..in-till Scotland, Till revenge hym, with stalward hand, Of the tray, travaill, and of teyne.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 690/1 Who so ever doth me a displeasure, I wyll revenge me and I can.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. cclxxv In the whiche thing verely, I will so reuenge me vpon you.
a1593 C. Marlowe Edward II (1594) sig. I2v Me thinkes I should reuenge me of the wronges.
1633 Bp. J. Hall Plaine Explic. Hard Texts i. 322 Know my omnipotence, and how easily I can revenge my selfe.
1672 W. Wycherley Love in Wood v. vi You would not revenge yourself upon the parson?
1720 J. Ozell et al. tr. R. A. de Vertot Hist. Revol. Rom. Republic I. v. 297 Virginius burnt with Impatience to revenge himself of Appius.
1776 A. Smith Inq. Wealth of Nations II. v. i. 398 Frederic of Holstein, who had mounted the throne in his stead, revenged himself by following the example of Gustavus Vasa. View more context for this quotation
1818 J. C. Hobhouse Hist. Illustr. (ed. 2) 435 Monti at least revenged himself of Pius for placing him below Metastasio.
1874 W. Stubbs Constit. Hist. I. xii. 520 He saw that his true policy was not to revenge himself by executions and confiscations.
1907 E. von Arnim Fräulein Schmidt xxxiv. 123 She is revenging herself, as only the dead in their utter unresentfulness can revenge themselves, for every hard and scoffing thought I had of her in life.
1961 J. Heller Catch-22 viii. 69 Lieutenant Scheisskopf's wife was revenging herself upon Lieutenant Scheisskopf for some unforgettable crime of his she couldn't recall.
2005 R. A. F. Thurman Anger (2006) vi. 60 Your mind cannot rest as anger stirs within you to revenge yourself on the injurer.
2.
a. transitive. To inflict punishment or exact retribution in retaliation for (an injury, harm, wrong, etc., done to oneself or another).
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > retributive punishment > inflict (retributive punishment) [verb (transitive)] > for an offence or on an offender
wreakc825
awreak1048
wrackc1275
wrakec1275
venge1303
bewreakc1325
avenge1377
hevena1400
sella1400
revengec1425
prosecute1543
pursue1570
wrecka1593
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > revenge > execute (vengeance) [verb (transitive)] > avenge (an injury or injured person)
wreakc825
awreak1048
righta1275
wrackc1275
wrakec1275
venge1303
bewreakc1325
avenge1377
hevena1400
sella1400
revengec1425
countervenge1523
wrecka1593
redeem1598
vindicate1623
to pay off1749
society > authority > punishment > retributive punishment > inflict (retributive punishment) [verb (transitive)] > for an offence or on an offender > on behalf of a person
wreakc888
awreakc1275
vengec1325
avenge1377
revengec1425
wreck1570
c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) ii. 8259 (MED) Her corage hooly þei reswme..her damage to revenge.
c1485 ( G. Hay Bk. Law of Armys (2005) 186 He is behaldin to defend him[self], and to reuenge his dede at all his powere agayn him yat wald sla him.
1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1928) xi. 46 Who is opprest with a lytell wronge, Reuengynge it he maye it soone encreace.
?1573 L. Lloyd Pilgrimage of Princes f. 158v Princes ought not to doe wrong nor yet reuenge wrong with wrong.
1639 S. Du Verger tr. J.-P. Camus Admirable Events 25 One of the wounded desirous to revenge his hurt [etc.].
1657 tr. A. Thevet Prosopographia 57 in T. North tr. Plutarch Lives (new ed.) They resolved to revenge the Defeat which they received at Derbent.
a1727 I. Newton Chronol. Anc. Kingdoms Amended (1728) ii. 246 Her brother..was slain, and she revenged his death.
1783 S. Johnson Lives Eng. Poets (rev. ed.) IV. 304 They revenged the disappointment by calling him a methodist.
a1822 P. B. Shelley Cyclops in Posthumous Poems (1824) 361 I should have done ill to have burned down Troy And not revenged the murder of my comrades.
1866 C. Kingsley Hereward the Wake ix. 143 William de Warrenne was there, vowed to revenge the death of Sir Frederick, his brother.
1925 Amer. Mercury Dec. 498/2 Our Brave Boys should have been permitted to march on to Berlin to revenge the Hun-whacking that France received.
1958 Jet 3 July 51 He..submerged the urge to revenge the killing of his wife and child.
1996 J. Lanchester Debt to Pleasure (1997) 230 The Oafs revenged last year's defeat at the hands of the Morons.
b. transitive. With on, upon, specifying the person on whom revenge is taken. Now rare.
ΚΠ
1485 Malory's Morte Darthur (Caxton) v. vi. sig. i.iiijv Thenne syr Feldenak thought to reuenge the dethe of gaynus vpon syre Gawayn.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. f. ccxii/2 They had great desyre to reuenge his dethe on them of the forteresse.
c1540 J. Bellenden tr. H. Boece Hyst. & Cron. Scotl. ii. viii. f. xvv/2 Thay deuysit..erar to reuenge sum displesour on thaym.
1609 W. Shakespeare Pericles xiii. 24 The Gods reuenge it Vpon me and mine, to the end of generation. View more context for this quotation
c1650 J. Spalding Memorialls Trubles Scotl. & Eng. (1851) II. 4 He wes..accusit..for not revenging of Forsythis death vpone the committers thairof.
1665 T. Manley tr. H. Grotius De Rebus Belgicis 275 Supposing..that the Clemency of the Enemy would not break its wonted bounds, and revenge the injury upon the innocent pledges.
1720 J. Swift Proposal Use Irish Manuf. 14 When my Betters give me a Kick, I am apt to revenge it with six upon my Footman.
1789 J. Bentham Introd. Princ. Morals & Legisl. xi. 135 He [sc. an Indian] revenges it upon the person of his antagonist with the most excruciating torments.
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop i. vi. 115 Kit..felt more than half-disposed to revenge the fact upon him.
1875 A. E. Young Wife No. 19 xiii. 234 They considered this act of the government an open insult, and they revenged it on the first Gentiles whom they could reach.
1915 G. B. Grinnell Fighting Cheyennes ix. 96 If an Indian had been killed by a white man the members of his tribe were ready to revenge the injury on the next white man that came along.
1962 C. Stewart tr. E. Canetti Crowds & Power 133 It is the duty of the relatives to find out what sorcerer was responsible for his death, and to revenge it on him.
c. transitive. To maintain, uphold, or vindicate (a cause, complaint, etc.) by some act of retribution or punishment. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > revenge > execute (vengeance) [verb (transitive)] > maintain by act of vengeance
revenge1523
society > authority > punishment > retributive punishment > inflict (retributive punishment) [verb (transitive)] > for an offence or on an offender > maintain by retributive punishment
revenge1523
society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > justification > justify [verb (transitive)] > vindicate > by retribution or punishment
revenge1523
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. f. cclxviv/2 They [sc. those whom he had beheaded] were those, that principally were causers of the dethe of his father. and so than he reuenged his cause.
a1530 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfeccyon (1531) ii. f. li As communly passionate persones doth, lyke wood beestes, in reuengynge theyr owne quarelles.
1578 J. Lyly Euphues f. 72 That his authoritie was so miraculously reuenged with the horrible destruction of Chorah, Dathan, and Abiron.
1591 R. Greene Notable Discouery of Coosenage f. 15 v The woman wept for anger, that she had not some one by that might with iustice reuenge her quarrell.
1699 J. Potter Archæologiæ Græcæ II. iii. v. 56 Melanthius..undertook to revenge the Quarrel of Athens on the Bœotians.
1704 J. Swift Tale of Tub i. 51 By trusting to Bawds and Surgeons, who..revenged their Party's Quarrel upon my Nose and Shins.
1745 E. Haywood Female Spectator 312 Let me know in what, that I may fly to revenge your cause.
1830 G. P. R. James Darnley I. v. 104 How comes it that you Englishmen join yourselves with a beggarly race of wandering vagabonds, to revenge the quarrel of a base-born Portingallo Captain upon one of your own countrymen?
1859 J. Russell Life & Times Charles James Fox II. xxii. 140 He was inflamed almost to fury against Mr. Hastings, and as eager to punish the violators of an Indian zenana, as he afterwards was to revenge the cause of an insulted Queen.
1914 M. Stauffer Humanity & Mysterious Knight ii. 16 Young man, I'll not go until I have to some extent revenged the cause I represent.
3. transitive. To avenge an injury or wrong done to (a person). Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > revenge > execute (vengeance) [verb (transitive)] > avenge (a person)
wreakc950
rightOE
awreakc1275
vengec1325
avenge1377
revengea1470
wreck1570
a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll.) 527 To-morn I woll be in the fylde with you and revenge you of youre enemyes.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. xc To the intent he myght reuenge his kynsfolkes.
1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie iii. ii. 71 b [He] reuenged and set at libertie his countrie and people.
1663 K. Philips Pompey 49 Revenge her thou, on Egypts wrong.
1760 C. Lennox Lady's Museum No. 8. 615 Why do I delay to revenge her upon her murderer?
1799 R. B. Sheridan Pizarro ii. i He may revenge, but cannot save thee.
1841 M. Elphinstone Hist. India I. v. iv. 593 The brother of the deceased, immediately took up arms to revenge him.
1891 W. Morris News from Nowhere xii. 95 Shall we think so poorly of each other as to suppose that the slain man calls on us to revenge him.
1975 R. Cavendish Powers of Evil i. 8 This enraged Tiamat, who determined to revenge him and created a brood of horrible monsters to help her.
4. intransitive. To take vengeance (against or upon a person, etc.). rare after 17th cent.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > retributive punishment > inflict retributive punishment [verb (intransitive)]
wreakc825
to do, have, nim (= take), ta, or take wrake (of, on, or upon)?a900
to do (also take) wrack (on one)12..
to do, have, make, nim, seek, and esp. take wrechec1200
to take (also nim) vengeance1297
to perform, seek, spend, work, and esp. take (…) wreakc1330
visita1382
vengec1400
revengec1485
avenge1535
hevenc1540
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > revenge > take or execute revenge [verb (intransitive)]
wreakc825
to do, have, nim (= take), ta, or take wrake (of, on, or upon)?a900
to do (also take) wrack (on one)12..
to do, have, make, nim, seek, and esp. take wrechec1200
to take (also nim) vengeance1297
wrakea1300
to perform, seek, spend, work, and esp. take (…) wreakc1330
visita1382
vengec1400
revengec1485
avenge1535
hevenc1540
resent1612
exact1858
c1485 ( G. Hay Bk. Law of Armys (2005) 187 Agayn him selff he will nocht geve him nouthir leue na gude will, to reuenge agayn him.
a1525 (a1500) Sc. Troy Bk. (Douce) l. 129 in C. Horstmann Barbour's Legendensammlung (1882) II. 232 Gode..Rawenges oft wyþ samyne peyne.
?1573 L. Lloyd Pilgrimage of Princes f. 157v Princes that reuenge hastely, and specially wrongfully.
1598 R. Grenewey tr. Tacitus Annales i. xi. 20 Germanicus..had an armie in a readines to reuenge vpon the rebels.
1611 Bible (King James) Nahum i. 2 The Lord reuengeth, and is furious. View more context for this quotation
1633 Bp. J. Hall Plaine Explic. Hard Texts i. 15 In that he..was both grievously displeased with their sinnes, and yet loath to revenge.
1774 G. Laughton Hist. Anc. Egypt 181 Great and good minds never add cruelty to affliction; they look on misery with a kind of sacred regard; when offended, are slow to revenge, and never punish with all deserved rigour.
1841 G. Catlin Lett. N. Amer. Indians I. vii. 47 It is a custom, and a part of the system of jurisprudence amongst all savages, to revenge upon the person or persons who give the offence, if they can.
2006 M. Earl tr. N. Nabais Nietzsche & Metaphysics of Tragic v. 110 He has been infected by the experience of punishment and by the desire for vengeance, by the will to revenge against time.
5.
a. transitive. To inflict punishment or take revenge upon (a person). Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > revenge > execute (vengeance) [verb (transitive)] > take vengeance on
yieldc1380
vengea1470
revenge?1526
avenge1633
society > authority > punishment > retributive punishment > inflict (retributive punishment) [verb (transitive)] > for an offence or on an offender > inflict retributive punishment upon
yieldc1380
putc1390
rewardc1400
pay?c1450
vengea1470
revenge?1526
avenge1633
to pay back1655
to pay off1699
to serve out1809
to pay out1849
?1526 M. Roper tr. Erasmus Deuout Treat. Pater Noster iii. sig. e v We shulde be angry with no man, ne enuye or reuenge any man, but alway be redy to do good for yuell.
1544 P. Betham tr. J. di Porcia Preceptes Warre ii. sig. L.iiii (heading) To reuenge our enemyes with lyke anoyaunce.
?1573 L. Lloyd Pilgrimage of Princes f. 155v Dion of Alexandria: who with silence reuenged more his foes, then with woordes.
1655 W. Gouge & T. Gouge Learned Comm. Hebrewes (iv. 13) i. 455 I will rescue my childe, and revenge the wrong-doer.
1826 T. Dick Philos. Relig. iv. 458 They watch every opportunity of revenging their enemies.
1927 P. Sorokin Social Mobility viii. 165 The opportunity to rob; to plunder; to degrade his victims; to revenge his enemies.
1989 Soviet Anthrop. & Archaeol. Fall 49 A shaman..who after death protects his descendants from oppressors, revenging their enemies and guarding against evil spirits.
b. transitive. To punish, exact punishment for (a wrong, crime, or sin). Now rare.In many instances difficult to distinguish from sense 2a.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > [verb (transitive)] > punish offence
wreakc888
visita1325
vengea1340
punish1340
revenge1531
vizy1562
1531 tr. E. Fox et al. Determinations Moste Famous Vniuersities vi. f. 111 Hethen Poetis..speke so moche of this kynde of Incest, and of the peynes and punisshementes, with the whiche all nations were wonte to reuenge this not to be spoken vice.
1563 2nd Tome Homelyes sig. Ssss.iii v What is the cause of penury and scarcenesse..but a token of Gods yre, reuengyng our wronges and iniuries one done to another?
1578 J. Lyly Euphues f. 67v If there were..a God that would reuenge the oppression of the widdowes and fatherlesse.
a1600 (?c1535) tr. H. Boece Hist. Scotl. (Mar Lodge) (1946) f. 67v The goddis be strenth of fewe persouns has oft tymes revengit the fals tresoun of greter multitude.
1611 Bible (King James) Ecclus. v. 3 The Lord will surely reuenge thy pride. View more context for this quotation
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 117 Revenge the Crime; and take the Traytor's head. View more context for this quotation
1713 S. Garth Epil. to Addison's Cato 8 Would you revenge such rash resolves—you may.
1866 New Monthly Mag. Feb. 234 Man has no right to revenge the crime in the same mode.
2005 K. Franko Aas Sentencing in Age of Information iv. 117 The objective of punishment became less to revenge the crime and rather to transform the criminal.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2010; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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n.a1525
v.?a1425