Search the Dictionary

attend to what is uttered; to give heed; to hear, in order to obey or comply. The Furies hearken, and their snakes uncurl. Dryden. Hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you. Deut. iv. 1.

One who hearkens; a listener.

Extreme pain, either of body or mind; excruciating distress. But they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage. Ex. vi. 9. Anguish as of her that bringeth forth her first child. Jer. iv. 31.

The act of listening or hearkening to. Hickes.

A hut; a cottage; a small house. [Obs.] Hearken a while from thy green cabinet, The rural song of careful Colinet. Spenser.

in opposition; adverse; as, contrary winds. And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me. Lev. xxvi. 21. We have lost our labor; they are gone a contrary way. Shak.

instruction. He taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, Hearken. Mark iv. 2.

g joy or enthusiasm; rapture; enthusiastic delight. He on the tender grass Would sit, and hearken even to ecstasy. Milton.

A wonder; a marvel. [Obs.] Who hearkened ever such a ferly thing. Chaucer.

To listen; to hearken. [Now rare, except in the imperative form used as an interjection, Hark! listen.] Hudibras. Hark away! Hark back! Hark forward! (Sporting), cries used to incite and guide hounds in hunting. -- To hark back, to go back for a fresh start, as when one has wandered from his direct course, or made a d…

To hearken. Tennyson.

To hearken; to attend; to listen. [Obs. except in poetry.] Stand close, and list to him. Shak.

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.

One who listens; a hearkener.

To listen or listen to; to hearken to. [Obs.] P. Plowman.

conforms to anything in practice. "Diligent observers of old customs." Spenser. These... hearkend unto observers of times. Deut. xviii. 14.

To try to influence. [Obsolescent] Hearken not unto Hezekiah, when he persuadeth you. 2 Kings xviii. 32.

tion of something to come; a foretelling; a prediction; esp., an inspired foretelling. He hearkens after prophecies and dreams. Shak. Prophecy came not in old time by the will of man. 2. Pet. i. 21.

To influence by rhyme. Hearken to a verser, who may chance Rhyme thee to good. Herbert.

A romantic story in verse; as, the "Romaunt of the Rose." O, hearken, loving hearts and bold, Unto my wild romaunt. Mrs. Browning.