earshotn.
/ˈɪəʃɒt/, U.S. /ˈɪ(ə)rˌʃɑt/ The distance within which the voice may be heard; range of hearing. Chiefly in in (also within) earshot (of): close enough to hear or be heard (by), and similarly out of earshot (of).
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > audibility > [noun] > range > earshot
ear reach1605
earshot1607
tongue-shot1656
1607 F. Beaumont Woman Hater i. iii. sig. B4v Harke you sir, there may perhaps be some within eare-shot.
1681 J. Dryden Spanish Fryar ii. 25 Gomez, stand you at distance,—farther yet,—stand out of ear-shot—I have somewhat to say to your Wife in private.
1713 J. Addison in Guardian 2 June 2/2 Within Ear-shot of one of those little ambitious Men.
1779 Mirror No. 40. 28 He sat out of ear-shot of his friend in the pit.
1844 B. Disraeli Coningsby I. ii. vi. 214 Tadpole and Taper..withdrew to a distant sofa, out of earshot, and indulged in confidential talk.
1856 E. B. Browning Aurora Leigh iii. 124 She was..not in earshot of the things Out-spoken o'er the heads of common men.
1888 E. Arnold With Sa'di in Garden 73 Those strong clattering hoofs Passed forth from ear-shot.
1900 Ulster Jrnl. Archæol. 6 73 Brantry Friary was a quiet place; the world and its turmoil were out of earshot and out of sight for the dwellers there.
1937 J. Marquand Thank you, Mr. Moto i. 5 I leaned back in my chair and raised my voice, but not loudly, being certain a servant was always in earshot.
1968 Wilson Bull. 80 303 The female may have to travel farther away, beyond earshot of the young.
2012 Daily Tel. (Nexis) 26 June 3 According to tradition, only Londoners born within earshot of the bells of St Mary-le-Bow Church in Cheapside can claim to be true Cockneys.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2015; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1607