awaken

 
Pronunciation: /əˈweɪk(ə)n/

verb

[with object]
  • rouse from sleep; cause to stop sleeping: Anna was awakened by the telephone
  • [no object] stop sleeping: he sighed but did not awaken
  • rouse (a feeling): different images can awaken new emotions within us
  • (awaken someone to) make someone aware of (something) for the first time: the film helped to awaken many to the horrors of apartheid

Origin:

Old English onwæcnan, from on 'on' + waken