[f. AVENGE v. + -ER1.]
1. He who avenges (the injured or the injury).
1535. Coverdale, Isa. xli. 14. The holyone of Israel thine avenger [Wyclif, aȝeen biere]. Ibid., Josh. xx. 5. Yf the auenger of bloude [Wyclif, blood wreker, venger] folowe vpon him.
1741. Middleton, Cicero (1742), III. XI. 265. The avenger of so many treasons.
1818. Byron, Ch. Har., IV. 130. Time, the avenger, unto thee I lift My hands and eyes.
1876. Green, Short Hist., i. § 1 (1882), 2. Every freeman was his own avenger.
† 2. He who takes vengeance on, or punishes (the offender). Cf. AVENGE v. 3. Obs.
1388. Wyclif, Ps. viii. 3. That thou destrie the enemy and avengere [1382 veniere].
a. 1625. Boys, Wks. (1630), 878. And they be called Auengers in that they persecute the friends of God.
1667. Milton, P. L., X. 241. Ere this he had return’d, with fury driv’n By his Avenger.
