Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Awaken \A*wak"en\, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. {Awakened}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Awakening}.] [OE. awakenen, awaknen, AS.
   [=a]w[ae]cnan, [=a]w[ae]cnian, v. i.; pref. on- + w[ae]cnan
   to wake. Cf. {Awake}, v. t.]
   To rouse from sleep or torpor; to awake; to wake.

         [He] is dispatched Already to awaken whom thou nam'st.
                                                  --Cowper.

         Their consciences are thoroughly awakened. --Tillotson.

   Syn: To arouse; excite; stir up; call forth.

Awakening \A*wak"en*ing\, a.
   Rousing from sleep, in a natural or a figurative sense;
   rousing into activity; exciting; as, the awakening city; an
   awakening discourse; the awakening dawn. --
   {A*wak"en*ing*ly}, adv.

Awakening \A*wak"en*ing\, n.
   The act of awaking, or ceasing to sleep. Specifically: A
   revival of religion, or more general attention to religious
   matters than usual.

Source : WordNet®

awakening
     n : the act of waking; "it was an early awakening"; "it was the
         waking up he hated most" [syn: {wakening}, {waking up}]