avenge

Definitions

a- (from Latin ad-, 'to') + venge (from Old French vengier, itself from Latin vindicāre) = 'to set out to avenge.' This is the same vindic root, but it took the scenic route through French, which softened the hard Latin vindic- into venge-. So under the French spelling sits the same Roman idea: repaying a wrong on someone's behalf.

Why It Means This

Avenge and revenge come from the same root but carry different attitudes. You avenge a wronged person or the wrong itself (avenge his death, avenge the insult), often for someone else and with a sense of justice being done. Revenge is what you take for yourself — more personal, more about your own satisfaction than righting a wrong.

Common Collocations

• 1.avenge a death为某人的死报仇
• 2.avenge oneself替自己雪恨
• 3.avenge the insult为侮辱报复
• 4.swear to avenge发誓复仇

Example Sentences

• 1.

  He swore to avenge his brother's death.

• 2.

  The hero returns to avenge the destruction of his village.

• 3.

  They vowed to avenge the insult to their family's honor.

Easily Confused

avenge vs revenge — Avenge is a verb and usually altruistic: you avenge a victim or a wrong (avenge his death), seeking justice. Revenge is mainly a noun and self-centered: you take revenge (on someone, for yourself). 'Avenge a person/wrong' but 'take revenge on a person.'