GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found one definition

1.       
   Vengeance , n. [F. vengeance, fr. venger to avenge, L. vindicare to lay claim to, defend, avenge, fr. vindex a claimant, defender, avenger, the first part of which is of uncertain origin, and the last part akin to dicere to say. See Diction, and cf. Avenge, Revenge, Vindicate.]
   Punishment inflicted in return for an injury or an offense; retribution; -- often, in a bad sense, passionate or unrestrained revenge.
   1913 Webster
   To me belongeth vengeance and recompense.
   Deut. xxxii. 35.
   
   1913 Webster
   To execute fierce vengeance on his foes.
   Milton.
   
   1913 Webster
   Harm; mischief. [Obs.]
   Shak.
   
   1913 Webster
   What a vengeance, or What the vengeance, what! -- emphatically. [Obs.] “But what a vengeance makes thee fly!” Hudibras. “What the vengeance! Could he not speak 'em fair?” Shak. -- With a vengeance, (a) with great violence; as, to strike with a vengeance. [Colloq.] (b) with even greater intensity; as, to return one's insult with a vengeance.
   1913 Webster
    + 
   PJC