WAKE

In Antiquities and popular usage, the word is of the same meaning as vigil; and the custom originated in the proce ions which took place early in the morning offcast days to the church, and were not uncommonly fol, lowed by revelling and drunkenne . At present most fast days are popularly called wakes by the English peas antry; but the peculiar "wake" or "revel" of county parishes was, originally, the day of the week on which the church had been dedicated; afterwards, the day of the year. In 1536, an act of convocation appointed that the wake should be held in every parish on the same day, namely, the first Sunday in October; but it was disregarded. Wakes are expre ly mentioned in Charles the First's Book of Sports, among the feasts which it was his majes ty's pleasure should be observed The wake appears to have been also held on the Sunday after the day of dedication;or, more usually, the day of the saint to whom the church was dedicated. In Ireland, it is called the " Patron Day." {Brand's Popular Antiquities.) Wake. The track of a ship which she leaves in the water. A ve el directly astern of another is said to be iu her wake. [s. 1338]