wreakful, a.
(ˈriːkfʊl)
Also 6 wreke-, 6–7 wreakeful(l.
[f. wreak n. + -ful. Cf. wrackful, wrakeful, wrecheful adjs.
Freq. from c 1560 to c 1610. Now rare or Obs.]
1. Of persons, etc.: Given or addicted to revenge; vengeful.
| 1531 Tindale Wks. (1572) 24/2 They also fayne y⊇ saintes..more wreakeful, and vengeable, then the Poetes fayne their goddes. 1562 A. Brooke Romeus & Jul. 2116 Not helping to do any sinne that wrekefull Ioue forbode. 1570 T. Norton tr. Nowel's Catech. (1853) 201 A wreakful mind and revengeful of injuries. 1582 [see wreak n. 1 b]. c 1611 Chapman Iliad xiv. 119 Atrides, this, doth passing fitly stand With sterne Achilles wreakfull spirit. 1653 H. Cogan tr. Scarlet Gown 80 Knowing well, that Antonio was wreakful, and vindicative. 1801 W. Richardson Maid of Lochlin 111, Of their own renown Wreakful assassins are those shallow rulers. 1805–6 Cary Dante, Inf. xi. 91 Less wreakful pours Justice divine on them its vengeance down. |
b. transf. Of natural agencies.
| 1561 Norton & Sackv. Gorboduc iii. i, Destroy, I say, with flash of wrekefull fier The traitour sonne. 1594 Willobie Avisa 7 b, Was earth consumde with wreakful waues? 1598 Sylvester Du Bartas ii. i. Eden 197 The wreakfull nature-drowning Flood Spar'd not this beauteous place. 1616 W. Browne Brit. Past. ii. v. 344 Unsuccoured..From wreakefull stormes' impetuous tyranny. 1838 S. Bellamy Betrayal 18 Summoning..From earth, and air, and their more proper hell, All wreakful influences. |
2. Marked or characterized by desire for revenge; of the nature of vengeance or retribution.
| 1532 Henryson's Test. Cresseid 329 (Thynne), So scheweth through thy dede, A wrekeful sentence gyuen on Creseyde. 1581 A. Hall Iliad ix. 166 This short discourse..is onely you to pray..to put this wreakful wrath away. 1593 Nashe Christ's T. (1613) 153 He will (in wreakfull recompence that thou hast so disgrac't him)..deforme thee. 1610 Niccols Eng. Eliza Induct. 9 In top of heau'n he tooke his wreakfull stand Ore that great Towne. 1616 W. Browne Brit. Past. ii. ii. 592 Cold winter's stormes and wreakfull teene. 1751 M. Mendez Seasons, Spring 11 The cuckoo..with his wreakful tale the spouse doth fray. 1757 Mickle Concub. i. xxiv, Left to your Aunts fell Spight and wreakfull Crueltie. |