hearken
AI In plain words
Writing a short explanation…
Written by a house AI from the entry below, in your language. The entry itself is the source.
hearken
- /ˈhɑːk(ə)n/ UK
- /ˈhɑɹkən/ US
- /ˈhærkən/ Early Modern
- /ˈhɛːrkən/ Early Modern, uncommon
Rhymes with -ɑː(ɹ)kən
Where it comes from
From Middle English herkenen (“to listen (attentively); to pay attention, take heed”) [and other forms], from Old English hercnian, heorcnian, hyrcnian, from *heorcian (“to hark”) infixed with -n-, from Proto-West Germanic *hauʀijan, from Proto-Germanic *hauzijaną (“to hear”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂ḱh₂owsyéti (“to be sharp-eared, hear well”), from *h₂eḱ- (“sharp”) + *h₂ṓws (“ear”) + *-yéti (denominative suffix), thus equivalent to hark + -en.
The spelling of the English word was probably influenced by hear; a similarly analogical pronunciation existed in Early Modern English.
verb hearkens · hearkening · hearkened · hearken
- To hear (something) with attention; to have regard to (something). Thenceforth ſhe paſt into his dreadfull den, / VVhere nought but darkeſome drerineſſe ſhe found, / Ne creature ſaw, but hearkned now and then / Some little whiſpering, and ſoft groaning ſound.
- To listen; to attend or give heed to what is uttered; to hear with attention, compliance, or obedience. Who ſo hearkeneth vnto me, ſhal not come to confuſion, & they that worke by me, ſhal not offende; [they that make me to be knowen, ſhal haue euerlaſting life.]
- To enquire; to seek information. Claudio. Hearken after their offence my Lord. / Prince. Officers, what offence haue theſe men done?
