What is the difference between Avenge and Revenge?

[davidbendtner]

Hello Guy's

Please help me out in using these words,if they had the same meaning then why different words?

Thanks:
David

[Vega]

Hello,

Avenge.

1. To inflict a punishment or penalty in return for; revenge: avenge a murder.
2. To take vengeance on behalf of: avenged their wronged parents.

Revenge.

v.
1. To inflict punishment in return for (injury or insult).
2. To seek or take vengeance for (oneself or another person); avenge.
n.
1. The act of taking vengeance for injuries or wrongs; retaliation.
2. Something done in vengeance; a retaliatory measure.
3. A desire for revenge; spite or vindictiveness.
4. An opportunity to retaliate, as by a return sports match after a defeat.

Revenge is a kind of wild justice, which the more a man’s nature runs to, the more ought law to weed it out —Francis Bacon

[Arale]

Dear David, this is what I found from the Oxford dictionary. Hope it would help.

Usage note: avenge / revenge

* Avenge is a verb; revenge is (usually) a noun.

-> People avenge something or avenge themselves on somebody:
Eg:
◇ She vowed to avenge her brother’s death.
◇ He later avenged himself on his wife’s killers.

You take revenge on a person.
◇ He swore to take (his) revenge on his political enemies.
◇ She is seeking revenge for the murder of her husband.
◇ The bombing was in revenge for the assassination.

-> In more formal or literary English, revenge can also be a verb. People revenge themselves on somebody or are revenged on them (with the same meaning):
◇ He was later revenged on his wife’s killers.

You CANNOT revenge something: She vowed to revenge her brother’s death. -> This sentence is wrong.

Good luck,

Arale.

Hello Guy's

Please help me out in using these words,if they had the same meaning then why different words?

Thanks:
David

[Josef]

Interestingly, Star Wars Episode IV "Return of the Jedi" was at one point before release called "Revenge of the Jedi".

However, shortly before the film's premiere the director George Lucas changed the name (back to) "Return of the Jedi" on the grounds that revenge is not a Jedi concept.

See also:
Revenge is sweet.
Revenge is a dish best served cold.

I will try to add something about the verb "avenge" and the noun "avenger" soon.

[davidbendtner]

thanks a lot Xkalibur,Arale and Mr.Josef..

i think still i am not 100% convinced,but may be keep practising on these words i will get the better understanding.

thanks;
David