Definition of avenge

The word "avenge" originates from Middle English and Old French, specifically from the Old French verb "avenger," which came from the Latin word "vindicare." The Latin word "vindicare" consisted of two parts, "vindic-," which meant "revenge, get revenge for," and the suffix "-are," which denoted a verb in the infinitive. The Latin word "vindicare" was primarily used in legal contexts to refer to the act of seeking justice or compensation for a wrong done. The word entered the Old French language around the 9th century as "vengier," and by the 10th century, it had developed into "avenger" in Middle English. In Old French, the suffix "-er" was added to the verb to form the third-person singular form, while in Middle English, "-en" was added to denote the present participle. Eventually, the spelling of the word evolved to "avenge" in Modern English, retaining its original meaning of seeking vengeance or vindication for a wrong. In summary, the word "avenge" has its origins in the Old French and Latin languages, where it was used extensively in legal contexts and referred to seeking justice or compensation for a wrong. Its evolution into Modern English reflects the changes in grammar and spelling that occurred during the Middle English period.