awake
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
Or FLY, knowing, thoroughly understanding. "I’m awake," i.e., I know all. The phrase WIDE-AWAKE carries a similar meaning in ordinary conversation, but has a more general reference.
Era: ca. 1874 (Victorian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Hotten’s The Slang Dictionary (1874, public domain; Project Gutenberg #42108, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “awake” mean?
Or FLY, knowing, thoroughly understanding. "I’m awake," i.e., I know all. The phrase WIDE-AWAKE carries a similar meaning in ordinary conversation, but has a more general reference.
Is “awake” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.