a. Also 6 wreke-, 6–7 wreakeful(l. [f. WREAK sb. + -FUL. Cf. WRACKFUL, WRAKEFUL, WRECHEFUL adjs.]

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  Freq. from c. 1560 to c. 1610. Now rare or Obs.

2

  1.  Of persons, etc.: Given or addicted to revenge; vengeful.

3

1531.  Tindale, Wks. (1572), 24/2. They also fayne ye saintes … more wreakeful, and vengeable, then the Poetes fayne their goddes.

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1562.  A. Brooke, Romeus & Jul., 2116. Not helping to do any sinne that wrekefull Ioue forbode.

5

1570.  T. Norton, trans. Nowell’s Catech. (1853), 201. A wreakful mind and revengeful of injuries.

6

1582.  [see WREAK sb. 1 b].

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c. 1611.  Chapman, Iliad, XIV. 119. Atrides, this, doth passing fitly stand With sterne Achilles wreakfull spirit.

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1653.  H. Cogan, trans. Scarlet Gown, 80. Knowing well, that Antonio was wreakful, and vindicative.

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1801.  W. Richardson, Maid of Lochlin, III. Of their own renown Wreakful assassins are those shallow rulers.

10

1805–6.  Cary, Dante, Inf., XI. 91. Less wreakful pours Justice divine on them its vengeance down.

11

  b.  transf. Of natural agencies.

12

1561.  Norton & Sackv., Gorboduc, III. i. Destroy, I say, with flash of wrekefull fier The traitour sonne.

13

1594.  Willobie, Avisa, 7 b. Was earth consumde with wreakful waues?

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1598.  Sylvester, Du Bartas, II. i. Eden, 197. The wreakfull nature-drowning Flood Spar’d not this beauteous place.

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1616.  W. Browne, Brit. Past., II. v. 344. Unsuccoured … From wreakefull stormes’ impetuous tyranny.

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1838.  S. Bellamy, Betrayal, 18. Summoning … From earth, and air, and their more proper hell, All wreakful influences.

17

  2.  Marked or characterized by desire for revenge; of the nature of vengeance or retribution.

18

1532.  Henryson’s Test. Cresseid, 329 (Thynne). So scheweth through thy dede, A wrekeful sentence gyuen on Creseyde.

19

1581.  A. Hall, Iliad, IX. 166. This short discourse … is onely you to pray … to put this wreakful wrath away.

20

1593.  Nashe, Christ’s T. (1613), 153. He will (in wreakfull recompence that thou hast so disgrac’t him) … deforme thee.

21

1610.  R. Niccols, Eng. Eliza, Induct. 9. In top of heau’n he tooke his wreakfull stand Ore that great Towne.

22

1616.  W. Browne, Brit. Past., II. ii. 592. Cold winter’s stormes and wreakfull teene.

23

1751.  Mendez, Seasons, Spring, 11. The cuckoo … with his wreakful tale the spouse doth fray.

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1757.  Mickle, Concub., I. xxiv. Left to your Aunts fell Spight and wreakfull Crueltie.

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