awakening
UK: əˈweɪkənɪŋ | US: əˈweɪkənɪŋ
n. 1. The act of waking from sleep.
n. 2. A realization or awareness of something significant (often spiritual or social).
v. (present participle of "awaken") Causing someone to wake up or become aware.
The word "awakening" combines the verb "awaken" (derived from Old English "āwæcnan," meaning "to arise from sleep") with the suffix "-ing," which forms a noun or present participle. The root "awaken" itself merges "a-" (an intensifying prefix) + "waken" (to wake). Over time, "awakening" expanded beyond literal waking to metaphorically describe moments of profound realization, especially in religious or social contexts (e.g., "the Great Awakening").
The sudden noise caused her awakening in the middle of the night.
His journey led to a spiritual awakening.
The documentary sparked an awakening about climate change.
She felt an awakening of creativity after the workshop.
The movement marked a cultural awakening in the 1960s.