rouse
Rouse is a verb meaning to awaken from sleep or to stimulate or provoke a response. It can refer to waking someone, as in “to rouse a sleeper,” or to stirring action or emotion, as in “to rouse the crowd’s interest” or “a speech that rouses morale.” The term can also describe awakening animals or the beginnings of activity, such as “rousing the engine” or “rousing curiosity.” In military or political contexts, leaders may seek to rouse support or morale.
Pronunciation: /raʊs/ (rhymes with house).
Usage notes: Rouse is generally less forceful than roust, which implies a rough or rough-and-tumble wake, and
Origin: The verb has been part of English since the Middle Ages, with early forms such as
Forms: rou se (present), rou sed (past), rou sing (present participle).
Notable people with the surname Rouse: Jim Rouse (1914–1996), American real estate developer and founder of The