Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Rouse?

\Rouse\ (rouz or rous), v. i. & t. [Perhaps the same word as rouse to start up, ``buckle to.''] (Naut.) To pull or haul strongly and all together, as upon a rope, without the assistance of mechanical appliances.
\Rouse\ (rouz), n. [Cf. D. roes drunkeness, icel. r?ss, Sw. rus, G. rauchen, and also E. rouse, v.t., rush, v.i. Cf. {Row} a disturbance.] 1. A bumper in honor of a toast or health. [Obs.] --Shak. 2. A carousal; a festival; a drinking frolic. Fill the cup, and fill the can, Have a rouse before the morn. --Tennyson.
\Rouse\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Roused} (rouzd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Rousing}.] [Probably of Scan. origin; cf. Sw. rusa to rush, Dan. ruse, AS. hre['o]san to fall, rush. Cf. {Rush}, v.] 1. To cause to start from a covert or lurking place; as, to rouse a deer or other animal of the chase. Like wild boars late roused out of the brakes. --Spenser. Rouse the fleet hart, and cheer the opening hound. --Pope. 2. To wake from sleep or repose; as, to rouse one early or suddenly. 3. To excite to lively thought or action from a state of idleness, languor, stupidity, or indifference; as, to rouse the faculties, passions, or emotions. To rouse up a people, the most phlegmatic of any in Christendom. --Atterbury. 4. To put in motion; to stir up; to agitate. Blustering winds, which all night long Had roused the sea. --Milton. 5. To raise; to make erect. [Obs.] --Spenser. Shak.
\Rouse\, v. i. 1. To get or start up; to rise. [Obs.] Night's black agents to their preys do rouse. --Shak. 2. To awake from sleep or repose. Morpheus rouses from his bed. --Pope. 3. To be exited to thought or action from a state of indolence or inattention.