Venge″ance (?), n. [F. vengeance, fr. venger to avenge, L. vindicare to lay claim to, defend, avenge, fr. vindex a claimant, defender, avenger, the first part of which is of uncertain origin, and the last part akin to dicere to say. See Diction, and cf. Avenge, Revenge, Vindicate.] 1. Punishment inflicted in return for an injury or an offense; retribution; — often, in a bad sense, passionate or unrestrained revenge.
To me belongeth vengeance and recompense. Deut. xxxii. 35.
To execute fierce vengeance on his foes. Milton.
2. Harm; mischief. Shak.
What a vengeance, orWhat the vengeance, what! — emphatically. “But what a vengeance makes thee fly!” Hudibras. “What the vengeance! Could he not speak 'em fair?” Shak. — With a vengeance, with great violence; as, to strike with a vengeance.