Definition of awaken to

The phrase "awaken to" has its roots in old English, specifically the Old Norse "á¢wia," which translates to "wake up" or "arise." In the 13th century, Old English vernacular incorporated this word and evolved it into "æccennan," meaning "to make aware" or "to enlighten." This new form of the word was introduced into Middle English during the 14th century, which brought further modifications to its meaning. "Akennen," which is a Middle English form of the phrase, signified "to establish," "to teach," or "to put in possession of knowledge." The connotation of awakening from a sleep state wasn't precisely depicted in these earlier forms of the phrase. In fact, it wasn't until the 18th century that the phrase started describing a transformation towards self-realization. In modern English, the term "awaken to" can now be seen as an expression of realizing or gaining a new insight, enlightenment or awareness with respect to any aspect of one's life. This transformation could be due to prior neglect, dormancy, or willful blindness. In summary, the phrase "awaken to" has evolved from an Old Norse term, "á¢wia," signifying awakening, through multiple forms in Old English and Middle English, to ultimately reach its modern English connotation of enlightenment or awareness.