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Webster 1913 Edition

Vengeance

Venge′ance

,
Noun.
[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
.]
1.
Punishment inflicted in return for an injury or an offense; retribution; – often, in a bad sense, passionate or unrestrained revenge.
To me belongeth
vengeance
and recompense.
Deut. xxxii. 35.
To execute fierce
vengeance
on his foes.
Milton.
2.
Harm; mischief.
[Obs.]
Shak.

Webster 1828 Edition

Vengeance

VENGEANCE

,
Noun.
venj'ance. [L. vindico.]
The infliction of pain on another, in return for an injury or offense. Such infliction, when it proceeds from malice or more resentment, and is not necessary for the purposes of justice, is revenge, and a most heinous crime. When such infliction proceeds from a mere love of justice, and the necessity of punishing offenders for the support of the laws, it is vengeance, and is warrantable and just. In this case, vengeance is a just retribution, recompense or punishment. In this latter sense the word is used in Scripture, and frequently applied to the punishments inflicted by God on sinners.
To me belongeth vengeance and recompense. Deut. 32.
The Lord will take vengeance on his adversaries. Nah. 1.
With a vengeance, in familiar language, signifies with great violence or vehemence; as, to strike one with a vengeance.
Formerly, what a vengeance, was a phrase used for what emphatical.
But what a vengeance makes thee fly?

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