Listen \Lis"ten\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Listened; p. pr. & vb.
n. Listening.]
[OE. listnen, listen, lustnen, lusten, AS.
hlystan; akin to hlyst hearing, OS. hlust, Icel. hlusta to
listen, hlust ear, AS. hlosnian to wait in suspense, OHG.
1. See
Loud, and cf. List to listen.]
1. To give close attention with the purpose of hearing; to
give ear; to hearken; to attend.
When we have occasion to listen, and give a more
particular attention to same sound, the tympanum is
drawn to a more than ordinary tension. --Holder.
2. To give heed; to yield to advice; to follow admonition; to
obey.
Listen to me, and by me be ruled. --Tennyson.
To listen after, to take an interest in. [Obs.]
Soldiers note forts, armories, and magazines;
scholars listen after libraries, disputations, and
professors. --Fuller.
Syn: To attend; hearken. See Attend.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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