Definition of rouse

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< Rous, Francis Peyton

rousing >

rouse    (rouz) KEY 

VERB:
roused, rous·ing, rous·es
VERB:
tr.

1. To arouse from slumber, apathy, or depression.
2. To excite, as to anger or action; stir up. See Synonyms at provoke.

VERB:
intr.

1. To awaken.
2. To become active.

NOUN:

The act or an instance of arousing.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English rousen, to shake the feathers: used of a hawk, perhaps from Old French reuser, ruser, to repel, push back, from Vulgar Latin *recsre, from Latin, to refuse ; see recuse

OTHER FORMS:
rouser(Noun)