awaken

/ə-ˈwā-kən/

Middle English, from Old English awæcnian, from a- + wæcnian to waken

verb

  1. awake

He was awakened by a knock at the door.

idiom

  1. to make (someone or something) aware of (something)

The book will awaken their minds to the beauty of nature.

idiom

  1. to become aware of (something)

They finally awakened to the possibility of war.