See Also: listen(1)(dictionary)
listen(2)(dictionary)
listen 1, verb(dictionary)
listen 2, noun(dictionary)

listen(2) (iou)



listen verb.
[Old English hlysnan corresp. to Middle High German lusenen, from West Germanic, from Germanic base repr. also by LIST verb2.]
verb trans. Hear attentively; pay attention to (a person speaking or some utterance). Now arch. & poet. OE.
Tennyson Listening the lordly music.
verb intrans.
a. Give attention with the ear to some sound or utterance or person speaking; make an effort to hear something. ME.
listen good: see GOOD adjective.
D. H. Lawrence She stood and listened, and it seemed to her she heard sounds from the back of the cottage. Radio Times We sat listening..with a portable set. H. Roth Listen, I have an idea.
b. Give attention with the ear to, unto; (in extended use) pay heed to, yield to (a person furnishing) a temptation or request. ME.
listen to reason: see REASON noun1.
R. Graves Listen to those doors banging. D. Lessing I've listened to you two talk all my life. J. Simms My teacher is a fine critic and I listen carefully to him.
verb intrans. Sound (in a certain way), convey a certain impression to a listener. US. E20.
With adverbs & prepositions in specialized senses: listen for be eager or make an effort to catch the sound of; endeavour to hear or to hear of. listen in use a radio receiving set to listen to a broadcast programme etc., listen secretly to or tap a telephonic communication, listen to the conversation etc. of others, (foll. by to, on). listen out listen eagerly or carefully, listen for a sound on a radio receiver etc.; listen out for = listen for above.