Definition of wakeful

"Wakeful" traces its roots back to the Old English word "wæcan," meaning "to watch, to keep awake." This is related to the verb "wake," which comes from the same source. Over time, "wæcan" transformed into "wake," and the adjective form "wakeful" emerged, signifying the state of being awake or vigilant. It's worth noting that "wakeful" implies a state of alertness and consciousness, while "awake" simply denotes the absence of sleep. This subtle difference in meaning contributes to the nuanced usage of both words.