rouse

present singular third person rouses · participle present rousing · participle past roused · past roused · first person past singular roused · archaic present second person singular rousest · past second person singular roused · archaic past second person singular rousedst · present singular third person rouses · archaic present singular third person rouseth · past singular third person roused · past plural roused · past subjunctive roused · participle present rousing · participle past roused · alternative obsolete rouze

1. transitiveTo cause (something) to be (more) active or to move; to agitate, to stir up.

   Leſt they ſhou'd blame her, / An' rouſe their holy thunder on it / And anathem her.

   1785 September 17 (date written), Robert Burns, “To the Rev. John M‘Math, Enclosing a Copy of Holy Willie’s Prayer, which He had Requested”, in Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect, volume III (Posthumous Poems), Kilmarnock, Scotland: […] James M‘Kie, →OCLC, stanza 2, page 191

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   Thee water is rowſed, they [two serpents] do friſke with floũce [flounce] to yͤ ſhoare ward, / Thee land with ſtaring eyes bluddy and firie beholding: […]

   1582, “The Second Booke of Virgil His Æneis”, in Richard Stanyhurst, transl., The First Foure Bookes of Virgils Æneis, […], London: […] Henrie Bynneman […], published 1583, →OCLC, page 27

   And the vvhole family, therevvith adredd, / Raſhly out of their rouzed couches ſprong, / And to the troubled chamber all in armes did throng.

   1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book III, Canto I”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, stanza 62, page 408

   He ſcarce had finiſht, vvhen ſuch murmur filld / Th' Aſſembly, as vvhen hollovv Rocks retain / The ſound of bluſtring vvinds, vvhich all night long / Had rous'd the Sea, […]

   1667, John Milton, “Book II”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC, signature E2, verso, lines 284–287

   1. transitiveTo stir (a liquid, especially (brewing) beer in the brewing process).
2. transitiveTo provoke (someone) to react (for example, in anger or annoyance); to spur; also, to annoy, to tease.

   Novv, valiant Chiefs! ſince Heav'n itſelf alarms, / Unite, and rouze the Sons of Greece to Arms.

   1715, Homer, “Book II”, in Alexander Pope, transl., The Iliad of Homer, volume I, London: […] W[illiam] Bowyer, for Bernard Lintott […], →OCLC, page 5, lines 93–94

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   This day is called the day of Cryſpin, / He that outliues this day, and ſees old age, / Shall ſtand a tiptoe vvhen this day is named, / And rovvſe him at the name of Cryſpin.

   1599 (date written), [William Shakespeare], The Cronicle History of Henry the Fift, […] (First Quarto), London: […] Thomas Creede, for Tho[mas] Millington, and Iohn Busby […], published 1600, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iii], signature E2, recto

   The emperor is roused by this alarm, and the frontiers of all the French dominions are in danger of being insulted [in] the ensuing campaign.

   1709 April 24 (Gregorian calendar), Isaac Bickerstaff [et al., pseudonyms; Richard Steele], “Wednesday, April 14, 1709”, in The Tatler, number 2; republished in [Richard Steele], editor, The Tatler, […], London stereotype edition, volume I, London: I. Walker and Co.; […], 1822, →OCLC, page 11

   It ſeems, the Minds of theſe People are ſo taken up vvith intenſe Speculations, that they neither can ſpeak, nor attend to the Diſcourſes of others, vvithout being rouzed by ſome external Taction upon the Organs of Speech and Hearing; […]

   1726 October 28, [Jonathan Swift], “The Humours and Dispositions of the Laputians Described. […]”, in Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. […] [Gulliver’s Travels], volume II, London: […] Benj[amin] Motte, […], →OCLC, part III (A Voyage to Laputa, Balnibarbi, Glubbdubdribb, Luggnagg, and Japan), pages 16–17

   "A surgeon!" said Anne. / He caught the word; it seemed to rouse him at once, and saying only—"True, true, a surgeon this instant," was darting away, when Anne eagerly suggested, / "Captain Benwick, would not it be better for Captain Benwick? He knows where a surgeon is to be found."

   1817 (date written), [Jane Austen], chapter XII, in Persuasion; published in Northanger Abbey: And Persuasion. […], volume III, London: John Murray, […], 20 December 1817 (indicated as 1818), →OCLC, pages 262–263

   She [Juana] saw hardly anything of them, and was often completely unaware of what Ezequiel was doing, where he was working, or at what. […] [I]f she thought he were ill, a black sort of fatalistic fear came over her. But Kate had to rouse her into getting some simple medicine.

   1926 January, D[avid] H[erbert] Lawrence, “Casa de la Cuentas”, in The Plumed Serpent (Quetzalcoatl), London: Martin Secker […], →OCLC, page 155

   Synonyms: inflame, set off, affront, aggravate, anger, antagonize, awrath, burn up

3. transitiveOriginally chiefly followed by up: to cause (an emotional reaction, a feeling, etc.); to excite, to incite, to stir up.

   to rouse the emotions or passions

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   [Y]ou call upon the nobles to rovvze vp their noble Chriſtian zeale and magnanimous courage; […]

   1637 June 24 (date delivered; Gregorian calendar), Peter Heylyn, “The Conclusion”, in A Briefe and Moderate Answer, to the Seditious and Scandalous Challenges of Henry Burton, […], London: […] Ric[hard] Hodgkinsonne; and are to be sold by Daniel Frere, […], published 1637, →OCLC, page 184

   Rouze conſcious vertue up in every heart, / And ſeeming to be ſtronger makes them ſo.

   1667, John Dryden, Annus Mirabilis: The Year of Wonders, 1666. […], London: […] Henry Herringman, […], →OCLC, stanza 190, page 48

   [W]hen an Injury / Stabs to the Heart, and rouſes my Reſentment, / (Perhaps it is the Fault of my rude Nature) / I ovvn I cannot eaſily forget it.

   1702 (first performance), N[icholas] Rowe, The Fair Penitent. A Tragedy. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], published 1703, →OCLC, Act IV, scene i, page 48

   [T]heir first Step in Dangers, after the common Efforts vvere over, vvas alvvays to deſpair, lie dovvn under it, and die, vvithout rouſing their Thoughts up to proper Remedies for Eſcape.

   1719, [Daniel Defoe], The Farther Adventures of Robinson Crusoe; […], London: […] W[illiam] Taylor […], →OCLC, page 127

   Gentle and timid as the people vvere, thoſe unprovoked injuries at length exhauſted their patience, and rouzed their courage.

   1777, William Robertson, “Book II”, in The History of America, volume I, London: […] W[illiam] Strahan; T[homas] Cadell, […]; Edinburgh: J[ohn] Balfour, →OCLC, page 116

   Synonyms: galvanize, inflame, stoke, animate, awaken, electrify, enflame, enkindle

4. transitiveSometimes followed by up: to disturb (someone) from a state of apathy, comfort, etc.

   But it [trial by jury] needs only to be minutely examined, and properly valued, to rouze the nation to preſerve it unimpaired, for the benefit of the preſent generation, and that vve may tranſmit it to poſterity uncontaminated and undiminiſhed.

   1785, a country gentleman [pseudonym], “To the Right Honourable Earl Mansfield”, in William Jones, M[anasseh] Dawes, England’s Alarm! On the Prevailing Doctrine of Libels, as Laid down by the Earl of Mansfield. […], London: […] John Stockdale, […], →OCLC, page 9

5. alsoreflexivetransitiveSometimes followed by up: to wake (oneself or someone) from deep thought, or rest or sleep; to awaken.

   Oft liſt'ning hovv the Hounds and horn, / Chearly rouſe the ſlumbring morn, […]

   a. 1645, John Milton, “L’Allegro”, in Poems of Mr. John Milton, […], London: […] Ruth Raworth for Humphrey Mosely, […], published 1646, →OCLC, page 32

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   VVhen vve be brought to this point that vve muſt be fayne to looke vnto God: vve begin after a ſort too rouze vp ourſelues, ſo as vvee be no more ſo careleſſe and drovvzie as vvee vvere: […]

   1574, Iohn Caluin [i.e., John Calvin], “The Nineteenth Sermon, which is the Thirde vppon the Fifth Chapter”, in Arthur Golding, transl., Sermons of Master Iohn Caluin, vpon the Booke of Iob. […], London: […] Henrie Binneman, for Lucas Harison and George Bishop, →OCLC, page 84, column 2

   [W]e thinke the Egle-vvinged pride / Of skie-aſpiring and ambitious thoughts, / VVith rituall-hating enuy ſet on you / To vvake our peace, vvhich in our Countries cradle / Dravves the ſvveet infant breath of gentle ſleepe / VVhich ſo rouzde vp vvith boiſtrous vntunde drummes, / And grating ſhocke of vvrathfully yron armes, / Might from our quiet confines fright faire Peace, […]

   1595 December 9 (first known performance), [William Shakespeare], The Tragedie of King Richard the Second. […] (First Quarto), London: […] Valentine Simmes for Androw Wise, […], published 1597, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii], signature B3, verso

   They heard, and vvere abaſht, and up they ſprung / Upon the vving, as vvhen men vvont to vvatch / On duty, ſleeping found by vvhom they dread, / Rouſe and beſtir themſelves ere vvell avvake.

   1667, John Milton, “Book I”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC, signature B2, recto, lines 331–334

   It [philosophy] makes us inſpect, and govern our Manners; it rouzes us vvhere vve are faint, and drouzy; it binds up vvhat is looſe, and humbles in us that vvhich is Contumacious: […]

   1678, Seneca [the Younger], “Of a Happy Life. Chap[ter] IV. Philosophy is the Guide of Life.”, in Roger L’Estrange, transl., Seneca’s Morals Abstracted: […], London: […] Tho[mas] Newcomb for Henry Brome, […], published 1679, →OCLC, page 42

   […] Persius has given us a very humorous account of a young fellow who was roused out of his bed in order to be sent on a long voyage, by Avarice, and afterwards overpersuaded and kept at home by Luxury.

   1711 May 13 (Gregorian calendar), [Joseph Addison], “WEDNESDAY, May 3, 1711”, in The Spectator, number 55; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New Edition, […], volume I, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton & Company, 1853, →OCLC, page 345

   Synonyms: bring round, roust, wake up, arouse, awake, awaken, bring round, cry

6. alsofigurativelyreflexivetransitiveTo lift up or raise (someone; or something, especially the head).

   [W]e vvill keepe our ſtate, / Be like a King, mightie and commaund, / VVhen vve do rovvſe vs in throne of France: […]

   1599 (date written), [William Shakespeare], The Cronicle History of Henry the Fift, […] (First Quarto), London: […] Thomas Creede, for Tho[mas] Millington, and Iohn Busby […], published 1600, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii], signature [A4], verso

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   [S]he caſt her dewed eyes aſ kance, / And ſpying me, gan rovvſe her heauie head, / And praide me pen her ſad and heauie chance, / And ſhe recounted it that preſent ſted, […]

   1584, Thomas Lodge, “Truths Complaint ouer England”, in An Alarum against Usurers. […], London: […] T[homas] Este, for Sampson Clarke, […], →OCLC, folio 37, verso

   […] Henry Bullingbrooke and hee / Being mounted, and both rovvſed in their Seates, / Their neighing Courſers daring of the Spurre, […]

   c. 1596–1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Fourth, […]. Epilogue.”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i], page 19, column 2

7. reflexivetransitiveSometimes followed by up: to cause (oneself) to be active or alert; to incite, to stir; also, to cause (oneself) to carry out a task, take action, etc.

   Me thinkes I heare [Mark] Anthony call: I ſee him rovvſe himſelfe / To praiſe my Noble Act.

   c. 1606–1607 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii], page 367

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   [A] puiſſant olyphant being brought to the place, the grehound ſeming to reioice at the greatnes of the beaſt, rouſed him, and after two or three queſtynges, he lept to the great Olyphante, and after a longe fight ouerthrew hym and kylled hym. So I doubt not but that ſome men […] whiche beeyng ones called to aucthoritee, ioygned with libertee, will inforce theim ſelfes to make theyr miniſtracions noble and excellent.

   1541, Thomas Elyote [i.e., Thomas Elyot], “The Preface. To All the Nobilitee of this Flourishyng Realme of England, Thomas Elyote Knight Desyreth Increase of Vertue and Honour.”, in [Aelius Lampridius], translated by Thomas Elyote, The Image of Gouernaunce Complied of the Actes and Sentences Notable, of the Most Noble Emperour Alexander Seuerus, […], [London]: […] Thomas Berthelett, published 1549, →OCLC

   [T]he truth beeing reuealed, enlighteneth reaſon; and that reaſon rovvſeth vp her ſelfe to reſt vpon truth.

   1587, Philip of Mornay [i.e., Philippe de Mornay], “The Preface to the Reader”, in Philip Sidney, Arthur Golding, transl., A Woorke Concerning the Trewnesse of the Christian Religion, […], London: […] [John Charlewood and] George Robinson for Thomas Cadman, […], →OCLC

   With that his Brother began to ſtirre, and the Lion to rowſe himſelfe: whereupon Roſader ſodainely charged him with the Boare ſpeare, and wounded the Lion verie ſore at the firſt ſtroake.

   1590, T[homas] L[odge], “Rosaders Meditation”, in Rosalynde. Euphues Golden Legacie: […], London: […] Thomas Orwin for T. G[ubbin] and John Busbie, →OCLC, folio 39, recto

   Svveete rouſe your ſelfe, and the vveake vvanton Cupid, / Shall from your neck vnlooſe his amorous fould, / And like devv drop from the Lions mane, / Be ſhooke to ayre.

   c. 1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, The Famous Historie of Troylus and Cresseid. […] (First Quarto), London: […] G[eorge] Eld for R[ichard] Bonian and H[enry] Walley, […], published 1609, →OCLC, [Act III, scene iii], signature G3, recto

   Only Phinehes, […] rovvzing vp himſelfe, and his ſpirits vvith zeale as hot as fire, he ſtood vp from the place vvhere he vvas, and made haſt to execute judgement.

   1625 August 14 (date delivered; Gregorian calendar), Robert Saunderson [i.e., Robert Sanderson], “[Ad Magistratum.] The Third Sermon. At the Assises at Lincolne. 4. Aug. 1625.”, in Twelve Sermons, […], [new] edition, London: […] Aug[ustine] Math[ews], for Robert Dawlman, and are to be sold by Robert Allet, […], published 1632, →OCLC, §. 18, page 231

8. alsoarchaicfigurativelyreflexivetransitivefalconryOf a hawk: to shake (its own) feathers.

   Ill huſbandry drowſeth at fortune ſo awke, / good huſbandry rowſeth him ſelfe like a hawke.

   1570, Thomas Tusser, “Comparing Good Husband with Vnthrift His Brother, the Better Descerneth the Tone from the Tother”, in A Hundrethe Good Pointes of Husbandrie, Lately Maried vnto a Hundrethe Good Points of Huswifry Newly Corrected and Amplified […], revised edition, London: […] [Henry Denham? for] Rychard Tottyl, published 1571, →OCLC, stanza 13, folio 22, verso

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   [G]rovves / The vvealth of Nature here, or Art? it ſhovves / As if Favonius, father of the Spring, / VVho, in the verdant Meads doth reigne ſole king, / Had rovvſd him here, and ſhooke his feathers, vvet / VVith purple ſvvelling Nectar?

   probably 1617 January 16 (first performance; Gregorian calendar), Benjamin Jonson [i.e., Ben Jonson], “The Vision of Delight Presented at Covrt in Christmas, 1617”, in The Workes of Benjamin Jonson. The Second Volume. […] (Second Folio), London: […] Richard Meighen, published 1640–1641, →OCLC, page 19

   The merchant did not fail to enlarge upon all their [the falcons'] points of excellence; […] the lively spirit and vigour with which they pruned their plumes, and shook, or, as it was technically termed, roused themselves.

   1825 June 22, [Walter Scott], chapter VII, in Tales of the Crusaders. […], volume II (The Betrothed), Edinburgh: […] [James Ballantyne and Co.] for Archibald Constable and Co.; London: Hurst, Robinson, and Co., →OCLC, page 139

9. obsoletereflexivetransitiveOf a person: to stretch (one's own) body.
10. archaictransitiveChiefly of a bird: to cause (its crest, feathers, etc.) to become stiff or to stand up.

    [T]he Eagle doubled ſtrength aſſumes: / As he ſtands proudly rovvzing vp his Plumes, […]

    [1619], Michael Drayton, “The Owle”, in Poems: […], London: […] W[illiam] Stansby for Iohn S[m]ethwicke, […], →OCLC, page 415

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    And ouer, all vvith braſen ſcales vvas armd, / Like plated cote of ſteele, so couched neare, / That nought mote perce, ne might his corſe bee harmd / VVith dint of ſvverd, nor puſh of pointed ſpeare, / VVhich as an Eagle, ſeeing pray appeare, / His aery plumes doth rouze, full rudely dight, / So ſhaked he, that horror vvas to heare, / For as the claſhing of an Armor bright, / Such noyſe his rouzed ſcales did ſend vnto the knight.

    1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book I, Canto XI”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, stanza 8, page 157

    [T]he Circumſtance of the Serpent's rouzing his Creſt, vvhich brightens vvith Anger, finely images the ſhining of their Arms in the Night-time, as they vvere juſt lifted up to deſtroy him.

    1715, Alexander Pope, “Observations on the Third Book”, in Homer, translated by Alexander Pope, The Iliad of Homer, volume I, London: […] W[illiam] Bowyer, for Bernard Lintott […], →OCLC, section V, pages 7–8

11. archaicpoetictransitiveTo disturb (someone's sleep).

    [F]orthvvith from all VVindes / The living, and forthvvith the cited dead / Of all paſt Ages to the general Doom / Shall haſt'n ſuch a peal ſhall rouſe thir ſleep.

    1667, John Milton, “Book III”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC, signature [I4], recto, lines 326–329

12. alsofigurativelyhistoricaltransitivehobbiesTo cause (game) to emerge from cover.

    to rouse a deer or other animal of the chase

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    [I]f they wold vſe but a fewe nombre of boundes⸝ onely to harborowe or rouſe the game: and by their yoinyng to gyue knowlege, which way it fleeth: […]

    1531, Thomas Elyot, “The Auncient Huntyng of Greekes and Romanes”, in The Boke Named the Governour […], London: […] Tho[mas] Bertheleti, →OCLC, 1st boke, folio 72, recto

    [I]f the Harte ſhould rowze for feare a farre of [off], his hound (hunting vpon the winde) might carie him amiſſe, ſo that he ſhould not finde the layre. Whereby (⁊ by yͤ foyles about it) he might haue certain iudgement: and if he rowze or vnharbor the Deare ⁊ find the layre, let him not blow ouer haſtely for yͤ hoűds [hounds], but onely cry, Looke ware, looke ware, ware, ware and let him draw on with his hound vntil yͤ Deare be diſcried, ⁊ rightly marked before he hallow.

    1575, Jacques du Fouilloux, “How a Huntsman should Rowze an Hart, and Cast off His Hounds to Him”, in George Gascoigne, transl., The Noble Art of Venerie or Hunting. […], London: […] Thomas Purfoot, published 1611, →OCLC, page 107

    Two kindes of Dogges. One which rouſeth the beaſt and continueth the chaſe. Another which ſpringeth the byrde and bewrayeth the flight by purſuite, […]

    1576, Iohannes [i.e., John] Caius, “The Preamble or Entraunce, into this Treatise”, in Abraham Fleming, transl., Of Englishe Dogges, the Diuersities, the Names, the Natures, and the Properties. […], London: […] Rychard Iohnes, […], →OCLC, 1st section, page 2

    Deformed creatures, in ſtraunge difference, / Some hauing heads like Harts, ſome like to Snakes, / Some like vvilde Bores late rouzd out of the brakes, […]

    1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book II, Canto XI”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, stanza 10, page 350

    He ſhould haue found his vncle Gaunt a father, / To rovvze his vvrongs and chaſe them to the baie.

    1595 December 9 (first known performance), [William Shakespeare], The Tragedie of King Richard the Second. […] (First Quarto), London: […] Valentine Simmes for Androw Wise, […], published 1597, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iii], signature E3, recto

13. archaictransitivenauticalTo pull (a cable, rope, etc.) in a specified direction, especially to tighten it; to haul.

    Tom, you and the boy rouse the cable up—get about ten fathoms on deck, and bend it.

    1832, [Frederick Marryat], chapter V, in Newton Forster; or, The Merchant Service. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), London: James Cochrane and Co., […], →OCLC, page 71

14. intransitiveSometimes followed by up: to carry out a task, take action, etc.

    Come, therefore; be it ours to rouſe at once / To action all the fury of our might.

    1791, Homer, “[The Iliad.] Book IV.”, in W[illiam] Cowper, transl., The Iliad and Odyssey of Homer, Translated into Blank Verse, […], volume I, London: […] J[oseph] Johnson, […], →OCLC, page 1021, lines 498–499

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    Hubba [Ubba], that had harried the Engliſh, and now rovvzed vpon the nevves of King Elfreds victory and life; vvith thirty three ſhips ſailed from VVales, […]

    1611, Iohn Speed [i.e., John Speed], “Elfred the Twentie Third King of the West Saxons, and Twentie Fovrth Monarch of the Englishmen, […]”, in The History of Great Britaine under the Conquests of yͤ Romans, Saxons, Danes and Normans. […], London: […] William Hall and John Beale, for John Sudbury and George Humble, […], →OCLC, book VII ([The Saxons] […]), paragraph 14, page 357, column 2

    Collect thy ſcattred ſenſes, and aduiſe, / Rouze vp (fond man) and anſvvere my replies.

    1624, Francis Quarles, “Sect[ion] 19”, in Iob Militant: With Meditations Divine and Morall, London: […] Felix Kyngston for George Winder, […], →OCLC, signature O2, verso

    VVhen thou our true Sampſon avvakeſt, and foundſt thy ſelfe tyed vvith theſe Philiſtian coards, and rouſedſt up, and brakeſt thoſe hard and ſtrong tvviſts vvith a ſuddaine povver, no marvell if the roome ſhooke under thee.

    1634, Jos: Exon. [i.e., Joseph Hall], “[The Residve of the Contemplations […].] The Resurrection.”, in The Contemplations upon the History of the New Testament, Now Complete: […], 2nd tome, London: […] M[iles] Flesher for Nath[aniel] Butter […], →OCLC, page 279

    In God's name, rouse up, sir; let it not be said, that an apprehended frown of a fair lady hath damped to such a degree the courage of the boldest knight in England; […]

    1831 June–November (date written), Jedadiah Cleishbotham [pseudonym; Walter Scott], chapter VII, in Tales of My Landlord, Fourth and Last Series. […], volume IV (Castle Dangerous), Edinburgh: […] [Ballantyne and Company] for Robert Cadell; London: Whittaker and Co., published 1 December 1831 (indicated as 1832), →OCLC, page 180

    'Well, well!' says I, kind of rousing up. 'Durn me if I wasn't waiting for old Paisley to—'

    1907, O. Henry [pseudonym; William Sydney Porter], “Telemachus, Friend”, in Heart of the West, New York, N.Y.: Doubleday, Page & Company for Review of Reviews Co., →OCLC, page 41

15. intransitiveSometimes followed by up: to wake from deep thought, or rest or sleep; to awaken.

    Good things of Day begin to droope, and drovvſe; / VVhiles Nights black Agents to their Prey's doe rovvſe.

    c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii], page 141, column 1

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    Thoſe morning haunts are vvhere they ſhould be, at home, not ſleeping, […] but up, and ſtirring, […] in Summer as oft vvith the Bird that firſt rouſes, or not much tardier, to reade good Authors, or cauſe them to be read, till the attention bee vveary, or memory have his full fraught.

    1642 April, An Apology against a Pamphlet Call’d A Modest Confutation of the Animadversions upon the Remonstrant against Smectymnuus, London: […] E[dward] G[riffin] for Iohn Rothwell, […], →OCLC, page 13

    As for the heat, vvith vvhich he [Luther] treated his other adverſaries, 'tvvas ſometimes ſtrain'd a little too far, but in the general vvas extremely vvell fitted by the Providence of God to rovvſe up a people, the moſt phlegmatic of any in Chriſtendome.

    1687, Francis Atterbury, An Answer to Some Considerations on the Spirit of Martin Luther and the Original of the Reformation; […], Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] [Sheldonian] Theater, →OCLC, pages 41–42

    At Muſick, Melancholy lifts her Head; / Dull Morpheus rovvzes from his Bed; / Sloath from its Lethargy avvakes, / And liſt'ning Envy drops her Snakes; […]

    1712 May, [Alexander] Pope, “Ode for Musick, on St. Cecilia’s Day”, in Miscellaneous Poems and Translations. […], London: […] Bernard Lintott […], →OCLC, stanza II, pages 346–347

    All this vvhile, I knevv not vvhat vvas the matter; but rouzing immediately from Sleep vvith the Noiſe, I cauſed the Boat to be thruſt in.

    1719, [Daniel Defoe], The Farther Adventures of Robinson Crusoe; […], London: […] W[illiam] Taylor […], →OCLC, page 222

    Synonyms: arise, get up, wake up, abraid, arise, arouse, awake, awaken

16. archaicintransitiveSometimes followed by up: of a characteristic or emotion: to be stirred up or to become stronger.

    Arthur, as he traversed the passages of the hotel, felt his anger rousing up within him.

    1848 November – 1850 December, William Makepeace Thackeray, “Fiat Justicia”, in The History of Pendennis. […], volume II, London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1850, →OCLC, page 317

    2 more examples

    But he though blind of ſight, / Deſpis'd and thought extinguiſh't quite, / VVith invvard eyes illuminated / His fierie vertue rouz'd / From under aſhes into ſudden flame, […]

    1671, John Milton, “Samson Agonistes, […].”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for John Starkey […], →OCLC, page 97, lines 688–692

    Our indignation rouſes, and vve are eager to refute and expoſe ſuch deteſtable principles.

    1759, Adam Smith, “Of the Utility of this Constitution of Nature”, in The Theory of Moral Sentiments, London: […] A[ndrew] Millar, […]; Edinburgh: A[lexander] Kincaid and J. Bell, →OCLC, part II (Of Merit and Demerit; or of the Objects of Reward and Punishment), section II (Of Justice and Beneficence), page 196

17. intransitivefalconryOf a hawk, or (generally) some other bird: to shake its feathers.

    And in the euening when daylight beginneth to faile, take off hir hood amongſt company of people by the candlelight vntill ſhe rowze and mewte, […]

    1575, George Turberuile [i.e.. George Turberville], “To Enseame a Falcon and to Make Hir”, in The Booke of Faulconrie or Hauking, for the Onely Delight and Pleasure of All Noblemen and Gentlemen: […], London: […] [Henry Bynneman] for Christopher Barker, […], →OCLC, page 120

18. EnglandNewfoundlandScotlanddialectalintransitiveTo move quickly; to rush.

    [A] king he placed, through whose Maieſtical Empyre / Theeſe blaſts rouze forward, or back by his regal apointment.

    1582, “The Firste Booke of Virgil His Æneis”, in Richard Stanyhurst, transl., The First Foure Bookes of Virgils Æneis, […], London: […] Henrie Bynneman […], published 1583, →OCLC, page 2

19. intransitiveobsoleteOf hair: to stand on end; to bristle.

    Whose eye can stare in stony trance, / Whose hair can rouse like warrior's lance,— […]

    1810, Walter Scott, “Canto IV. The Prophecy.”, in The Lady of the Lake; […], Edinburgh: […] [James Ballantyne and Co.] for John Ballantyne and Co.; London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme, and William Miller, →OCLC, stanza VI, page 149

    1 more example

    [M]y Fell of haire / VVould at a diſmall Treatiſe rovvze, and ſtirre / As life vvere in't.

    c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene v], page 150, column 1

20. intransitiveobsoletehobbiesSometimes followed by up: of game: to emerge from cover.

plural rouses

1. An act of causing something to be (more) active or to move; a shakeup, a stir; also (chiefly US), a commotion, a disturbance.

   Fling your red scarf faster and faster, dancer. / […] / The silk and flare of it is a great soprano leading a chorus / Carried along in a rouse of voices reaching for the heart of the world.

   1916 April, Carl Sandburg, “Mask”, in Chicago Poems, New York, N.Y.: Henry Holt and Company, →OCLC, stanza 1, page 125

   1 more example

   At supper my grandfather took command of the table d'hôte as though he had been at home; […] In fact, he revolutionized the whole establishment, and gave it such a rouse, that the very house reeled with it.

   1824, Geoffrey Crayon [pseudonym; Washington Irving], “The Bold Dragoon, or The Adventure of My Grandfather”, in Tales of a Traveller, part 1 (Strange Stories. […]), Philadelphia, Pa.: H[enry] C[harles] Carey & I[saac] Lea, […], →OCLC, page 63

   Synonyms: arousal, rouse-up, upheaval

2. falconryChiefly of a hawk: an act of shaking the feathers.

   1 more example

   [K]ing Antiochus, vvho likened Hermogenes the famous Orator of Greece, vnto theſe fovvles in their moulting time, vvhen their feathers be ſick, and be ſo loaſe in the fleſh that at any little rovvſe they can eaſilie ſhake them off: ſo ſaith he, can Hermogenes of all the men that euer I knevv, as eaſilie deliuer from him his vaine and impertinent ſpeeches and vvords.

   1589, attributed to George Puttenham, “What It is that Generally Makes Our Speach Well Pleasing & Commendable, and of that which the Latines Call Decorum”, in The Arte of English Poesie. […], London: […] Richard Field, […], →OCLC, 3rd booke (Of Ornament), page 222

3. CanadaUKgovernmentOften in the form Rouse and preceded by the: the sounding of a call, usually on the bugle in the morning after reveille, to signal that soldiers are to rise from bed; also, the reveille.

   The ‘rouse’ sounded at 2.45 a.m., and by four o’clock tents had been struck, baggage loaded up, and everything was ready for a start.

   1897, Lord Roberts of Kandahar [i.e., Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts], chapter LXI, in Forty-one Years in India from Subaltern to Commander-in-Chief […], volume II, London: Richard Bentley and Son […], →OCLC, page 348

   1 more example

   Thus many a high-plumed gallant rear'd his head, / And proudly smote the ground with firmer tread, / Who did, ere close of ev'ning, lye / With ghastly face turn'd to the sky, / No more again the rouse of war to hear.

   1821, Joanna Baillie, “A Metrical Legend of William Wallace”, in Metrical Legends of Exalted Characters, London: […] Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, […], →OCLC, stanza XXXVII, page 31

plural rouses · alternative obsolete rowse

1. archaicA full or large cup or glass of an alcoholic beverage, especially when drunk as a toast; a bumper.

   to give a rouse    to take one’s rouse

   5 more examples

   He tooke his rouſe with ſtopes of Rhenniſh wine / So kindly yeſternight to Bruno's health, / That all this day the ſluggard kéepes his bed.

   1589–1592 (date written), Ch[ristopher] Mar[lowe], The Tragicall Historie of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus. […], London: […] Iohn Wright, […], published 1616 (1631 reprint), →OCLC, signature E2, verso

   Caſ[sio]. Fore God they haue giuen me a rouſe already. / Mon[tano]. Good faith a little one, not paſt a pint.

   c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, The Tragœdy of Othello, the Moore of Venice. […] (First Quarto), London: […] N[icholas] O[kes] for Thomas Walkley, […], published 1622, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iii], page 31

   And vve vvill haue a rouſe in each of 'hem, anon, for bold Britons, yfaith.

   1609 December (first performance), Beniamin Ionson [i.e., Ben Jonson], “Epicoene, or The Silent Woman. A Comœdie. […]”, in The Workes of Beniamin Ionson (First Folio), London: […] Will[iam] Stansby, published 1616, →OCLC, Act III, scene vii, page 565

   [Y]our Lord, by his pattent / Stands bound to take his rouſe. Long liue the Dutches.

   1621 (first performance), Philip Massinger, The Dvke of Millaine. A Tragædie. […], London: […] B[ernard] A[lsop] for Edward Blackmore, […], published 1623, →OCLC, Act I, scene i, signature B, verso

   He [Nestor] vvas obſerved to take his rovvſe freely, and more at the ſiege of Troy, then the Generall Agamemnon, vvhom Achilles upbraided for his immoderate drinking: […]

   1635, Tho: Fæni-lignum [pseudonym; Thomas Heywood], “An Catalogue of Sundry Helluoes, and Great Quaffers amongst the Grecians: Infamous for Their Vinosity”, in Philocothonista, or, The Drvnkard, Opened, Dissected, and Anatomized, London: […] Robert Raworth, […], →OCLC, page 10

2. archaicA social gathering at which alcoholic beverages are drunk; a drinking bout or party; a carousal.

   I could only keep myself alive by rambling up and down this d—d vault, and thinking about the merry rouses we have had in it.

   1815 February 24, [Walter Scott], chapter XIII, in Guy Mannering; or, The Astrologer. […], volume II, Edinburgh: […] James Ballantyne and Co. for Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, […]; and Archibald Constable and Co., […], →OCLC, page 216

   4 more examples

   No iocond health that Denmarke drinkes to day, / But the great Cannon to the cloudes ſhall tell. / And the Kings rovvſe the heauen ſhall brute againe, / Reſpeaking earthly thunder; come avvay.

   c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, The Tragicall Historie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke: […] (Second Quarto), London: […] I[ames] R[oberts] for N[icholas] L[ing] […], published 1604, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii], signature C, recto

   I'le aſſure ye / She vvill not ſee you: ſhe has heard, […] your ſeverall miſcheifes, / Your rovvſes, and your vvenches: […]

   1610–1616 (date written), Iohn [i.e., John] Fletcher, Monsieur Thomas. A Comedy. […], London: […] Thomas Harper, for Iohn Waterson, […], published 1639, →OCLC, Act I, scene ii, signature C, verso

   Boy, take my cloake, vvhen ſhals haue a rouſe, ha? my Lieftenant and I vvere drunke laſt night, vvith drinking health on our knees to thee.

   1611, George Chapman, May-Day. A Witty Comedie, […], London: […] [William Stansby] for Iohn Brown, […], →OCLC, Act II, pages 33–34

   [Amyas] invited as many of his old schoolfellows, one by one apart, as Frank had pointed out to him, to a merry supper and a "rowse" thereon consequent; […]

   1855, Charles Kingsley, “How the Noble Brotherhood of the Rose was Founded”, in Westward Ho!: Or, The Voyages and Adventures of Sir Amyas Leigh, Knight, […], volume I, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: Macmillan & Co., →OCLC, page 279

   Synonyms: carouse

present singular third person rouses · participle present rousing · participle past roused · past roused

1. AustraliaNew ZealandarchaicinformalintransitiveFollowed by at, on, etc.: to criticize severely; to tell off.

   He roused on her for being late yet again.

present singular third person rouses · participle present rousing · participle past roused · past roused

1. archaictransitiveTo sprinkle salt on (fish, especially herring) in the process of curing; to salt.

   The proceſs of curing red herrings is in the follovving manner: VVhen they are brought from the boats or veſſels, to the cloſe or cellar, they are rouſed vvith ſalt, great or ſmall, according as they are meant to be cured for exportation, or home conſumption.

   1778, David Loch, “Dunbar, East-Lothian”, in A Tour through Most of the Trading Towns and Villages of Scotland; […], Edinburgh: […] Wal[ter] and Tho[mas] Ruddiman, →OCLC, page 11

comparative more rouse · superlative most rouse

1. archaicobsoleteUsed as an epithet for a person: having red hair; red-haired, redheaded.

   [C]ompare his [Henry I of England's] lyfe with his two bretherne, william, called Rouſe [William II of England], and Robert le courtoiſe [Robert Curthose], they both nat hauyng ſẽblable [semblable] lernyng with the ſayd Henry, […]

   1531, Thomas Elyot, “Why Gentlemen in this Present Tyme be Nat Equall in Doctryne to the Auncient Noble Men”, in The Boke Named the Governour […], London: […] Tho[mas] Bertheleti, →OCLC, 1st boke, folio 43, recto

   1 more example

   Yet to theſe ſingle Names vvere adioyned oftentimes other names, as Cognomina, or Sobriquetts, as the French call them, and By-names, or Nicke-names, as vve terme them, […] King Eadgar vvas called the Peaceable, king Ethelred the Vnreadie, […] king VVilliam the ſecond Rouſe, that is, the Red, […]

   1605, M. N. [pseudonym; William Camden], “Surnames”, in Remaines of a Greater Worke, Concerning Britaine, […], London: […] G[eorge] E[ld] for Simon Waterson, →OCLC, page 90

present singular third person rouses · participle present rousing · participle past roused · past roused · alternative rouze

1. archaictransitiveTo cause (something) to rest or settle.

   [T]he maiſter of the houſe began to rouſe his ſhoulders in a rich chaire, […]

   1616, attributed to T[homas] G[ainsford], “Vanitie”, in The Rich Cabinet Furnished with Varietie of Excellent Discriptions, Exquisite Charracters, Witty Discourses, and Delightful Histories, Deuine and Morrall. […], London: […] I[ohn] B[eale] for Roger Iackson […], →OCLC, folio 153, recto

2. archaicintransitiveTo rest or settle.

   After that, I was caryed to my Lordes Colehouſe agayne, where I with my ſyxe fellowes do rouſe together in the ſtraw, as chere fullye (wee thanke God) as other doo in theyr beds of downe.

   1555 October 24 (date written; Gregorian calendar), John Philpot, “The Confuse Maner of Iohn Philpots Examinatiõ had before the Quenes Cõmissioners Maister Cholm. Roper. D. Story. D. Cooke and the Scribe, the 14. of October, 1555. at Newgate Sessions Hall. [The Maner of My Calling Fyrst before the Byshop of London [Edmund Bonner] the Second Night of My Impprisonment, in His Cole House.]”, in John Foxe, Actes and Monuments of These Latter and Perillous Dayes, […], London: […] Iohn Day, […], published 30 March 1563 (Gregorian calendar), →OCLC, page 1393, column 2

alternative Rowse

1. A surname.
2. A census-designated place in Stanislaus County, California, United States.
3. An unincorporated community in the town of Anderson, Iron County, Wisconsin.