[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

wake \wake\, n.
   1. the act of waking, or being awaked; also, the state of
      being awake. obs. or poetic
      1913 webster

            making such difference 'twixt wake and sleep.
                                                  --shak.
      1913 webster

            singing her flatteries to my morning wake. --dryden.
      1913 webster

   2. the state of forbearing sleep, especially for solemn or
      festive purposes; a vigil.
      1913 webster

            the warlike wakes continued all the night,
            and funeral games played at new returning light.
                                                  --dryden.
      1913 webster

            the wood nymphs, decked with daises trim,
            their merry wakes and pastimes keep.  --milton.
      1913 webster

   3. specifically:
      a ch. of eng. an annual parish festival formerly held
          in commemoration of the dedication of a church.
          originally, prayers were said on the evening
          preceding, and hymns were sung during the night, in
          the church; subsequently, these vigils were
          discontinued, and the day itself, often with
          succeeding days, was occupied in rural pastimes and
          exercises, attended by eating and drinking, often to
          excess.
          1913 webster

                great solemnities were made in all churches, and
                great fairs and wakes throughout all england.
                                                  --ld. berners.
          1913 webster

                and every village smokes at wakes with lusty
                cheer.                            --drayton.
          1913 webster
      b the sitting up of persons with a dead body, often
          attended with a degree of festivity, chiefly among the
          irish. "blithe as shepherd at a wake." --cowper.
          1913 webster

   wake play, the ceremonies and pastimes connected with a
      wake. see wake, n., 3
      b, above. obs. --chaucer.
          1913 webster
see also:
wake play wake 

Morality Play >> M Words
Morality Play, definition of term: Morality Play
morality+play_pag1.html

Mystery Play >> M Words
Mystery Play, definition of term: Mystery Play
mystery+play_pag1.html

Miracle Play >> M Words
Miracle Play, definition of term: Miracle Play
miracle+play_pag1.html

Match Play >> M Words
Match Play, definition of term: Match Play
match+play_pag1.html

Foul Play >> F Words
Foul Play, definition of term: Foul Play
foul+play_pag1.html

Childs Play >> C Words
Childs Play, definition of term: Childs Play
childs+play_pag1.html