hearv.
/hɪə/, U.S. /hɪ(ə)r/ 1.
a. intransitive. To perceive, or have the sensation of, sound; to possess or exercise the faculty of audition, of which the specific organ is the ear. The proper verb to express this faculty or function.
ΚΠ
c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. xiii. 15 Ðy læs egum hia geseað and earum herað [Ags. G. gehyron].
c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. xiii. 16 Eadgo biðon..earo iuere forðon héras hia [Ags. G. hig gehyraþ].
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 15501 & dumbe menn. & dæfe he ȝaff To spekenn wel. & herenn.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Matt. xi. 15 He that hath eeris of heerynge, heere he.
14.. in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 566/44 Audio, to huyre.
c1480 (a1400) St. Matthew 62 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 192 Als þai tuk fra men þe sycht, & for to here to haf na mycht.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Matt. xi. f. xiiijv He that hath eares to heare, let him here.
1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing iv. i. 89 Leonato, I am sory you must heare . View more context for this quotation
1609 W. Shakespeare Sonnets xxiii. sig. Cv To heare wit eies belongs to loues fine wiht.
1611 Bible (King James) Deut. iv. 28 Ye shall serue gods..which neither see, nor heare . View more context for this quotation
1785 T. Reid Ess. Intellect. Powers ii. i We cannot see without eyes, nor hear without ears.
1785 T. Reid Ess. Intellect. Powers ii. i The ear is not that which hears; but the organ by which we hear.
1871 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues I. 52 [He] whispered..so that Menexenus should not hear.
a1898 Mod. He does not hear readily; he is dull of hearing.
b. to hear of both ears: to hear both sides, be impartial. not to hear of that ear: to be wilfully obtuse on a certain subject, ‘to be deaf on that side of the head’. not to hear on that side (see quot. a1617).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > ignoring, disregard > ignore [verb (intransitive)]
overhipa1325
to hide one's facea1382
to look aside1530
to look beside ——1533
not to hear on that side1548
to look through the fingers1549
to pull away the shoulder1560
connive1602
to turn a (also the) blind eye1698
to bury (or hide) one's head in the sand1844
Nelson eye1893
not to want to know1948
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry IV f. xviv The kyng was required to purchase his deliuerance..but he could not heare on that side.
a1617 P. Baynes Comm. Ephes. i If he have no mind to perform it, we say, hee cannot heare on that side.
1624 R. Sanderson Serm. I. 239 Our unthankfulness, how foul it is..But we cannot abide to hear on this ear.
1624 R. Montagu Gagg for New Gospell? Pref. Wee should have heard thereof on both eares to a purpose.
?1706 E. Hickeringill Priest-craft: 2nd Pt. v. 50 A Man of Understanding..is not apt to pass Sentence ’till he hear of both Ears, and have well pondered, Pro and Con.
2.
a. transitive. To perceive (sound, or something that emits or causes sound); to have cognizance of by means of the ear or auditory sense.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > hear [verb (transitive)]
overheareOE
yherec825
hearc950
beheara1600
c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. xiii. 17 gewillnadon..gehera ða ilco ge heres and ne herdon [Ags. G. gehyran þa þing þe ge gehyrað, and hig ne gehyrdon].
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 47 Þeos ilke weord..god ha beoð to heren [cf. 49 for to iheren godes weordes].
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 10850 Þær wass þe faderr heorrd anan. Off heoffne þurrh an steffne.
c1200 Vices & Virtues 11 He it ne herde.
a1300 Cursor Mundi 2849 Sir loth wijf þis cri sco hard.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Luke x. 24 Many prophetis and kyngis wolden..heere tho thingis, that ȝe heere, and thei herden not.
c1440 Gesta Romanorum (Harl.) lix. 243 He harde a voyse seing to him, ‘Whi erte thowe so hevy?’
a1538 T. Starkey Dial. Pole & Lupset (1989) 14 Thyngys wych we se fele or her.
1563 W. Fulke Goodle Gallerye Causes Meteors iii. f. 27 Although the lyghtnyng appeare vnto vs, a good preaty whyle before the thonderclappe be harde.
1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 ii. ii. 32 Laie thine eare close to the ground, and list if thou canst heare the treade of trauellers. View more context for this quotation
1694 Acct. Several Late Voy. (1711) ii. 44 So great a noise, that one can hardly hear his own words.
1715 D. Defoe Family Instructor I. i. i. 16 How can he hear what I say?
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xxvii. 215 The men shouted..and I distinctly heard them through the falling snow.
b. predicated of the ear.
ΚΠ
c825 Vesp. Psalter ix. 38 [x. 17] Lustas heortan heora geherde eare ðin.]
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) 1 Cor. ii. 9 Yȝe syȝ not, ne eere herde..what thingis God made redy bifore to hem that louen him.
c1480 (a1400) St. Mary of Egypt 428 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 308 Na þine eris to her it sa lange ma nocht thole.
1586 G. Pettie & B. Yong tr. S. Guazzo Ciuile Conuersat. (rev. ed.) iv. 191 Ladie Lelias eares are to daintie to heare anie reasons.
1830 F. D. Hemans Better Land in Songs of Affections 226 Ear hath not heard its deep songs of joy.
c. not to hear day nor door: not to hear anything distinctly. Scottish.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of ear > disordered hearing > have a hearing disorder [verb (intransitive)] > not hear distinctly
not to hear day nor door1768
1768 A. Ross Fortunate Shepherdess 86 (Jam.) That day nor door a body cudna hear.
1816 W. Scott Old Mortality viii, in Tales of my Landlord 1st Ser. II. 180 She's as deaf as Corra-linn—we canna make her hear day nor door.
3. ¶1528–30 tr. T. Littleton Tenures (new ed.) f. iiiv If that chylde..be harde crye.a1645 W. Browne tr. M. Le Roy Hist. Polexander (1647) ii. ii. 180 I heare the magnanimous Benzaida to accuse the ingratefull Nephizus.
a. As with other verbs of perception, the substantive or pronominal object may be followed by an infinitive present participle (originally verbal noun with a-), or past participle, expressing an action performed or suffered by it.The infinitive now takes to after the passive, but not after the active verb: we heard him groan; he was heard to groan. But exceptions to both rules are to be met with: see ¶.
ΚΠ
OE Beowulf 1346 Ic þæt londbuend, leode mine..secgan hyrde.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 901 Godd..wollde himm sellf. Þa belless herenn ringenn.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (1724) 279 He hurde angles synge an hey.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 550 Of þese þinges I haue herde seide Was adames body to gider leide.
c1440 Gesta Romanorum (Harl.) ii. 6 Whenne þe seruauntis hirde hire lord crye.
c1480 (a1400) St. Peter 58 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 8 As he mycht heyre þe cok craw.
?1507 W. Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen (Rouen) in Poems (1998) I. 44 Quhen I heir nemmyt his name.
1552 T. Wilson Rule of Reason (rev. ed.) sig. Kiij As I harde ones a Doctor of Diuinitie..earnestly defendyng his cause with examples.
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 v. v. 105 I heard a bird so sing. View more context for this quotation
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xxvi. 141 To assemble the people..to heare it read.
1716 J. Addison Free-holder No. 11 Mr. Motteux has been heard to say more than once.
1737 A. Pope Epist. of Horace ii. ii. 8 A Poet begs me, I will hear him read.
1782 W. Cowper John Gilpin 206 Whereat his horse did snort, as he Had heard a lion roar.
1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam x. 14 I hear the bell struck in the night. View more context for this quotation
1898 N.E.D. at Hear Mod. I heard a clock striking; I heard the clock strike three.
b. Hence, by ellipsis of such objects as people, persons, some one, before the infinitives say, speak, talk, tell, the phrases to hear say, hear tell, etc., of which some are still in dialectal or colloquial, and occasionally literary, use. Formerly also with past participle, as to hear told (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > information > action of informing > give information [verb (intransitive)] > be informed
hear tellOE
hearc1320
to hear recorda1500
understand1574
learn1756
OE Beowulf 582 No ic wiht fram þe swylcra searoniða secgan hyrde.
a1123 Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1114 Ða þe munecas of Burch hit herdon sægen.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 272 Habbe ȝe iherd tell[en] of þe þreo hali men.
a1300 (c1275) Physiologus (1991) 405 He hauen herd told of ðis mere,..Half man & half fis.
c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 8036 King Macolom hurde telle þerof in scotlonde.
?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) ii. 101 Often I haf herd told of þis duke Roberd, So gode knyght..was non in alle þe werld.
1465 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 529 When Debnam herd sey how þat I began to gadyr syluyr.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) iv. l. 379 I her spek of that man.
1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) ii. 46 That ik herd neuer in romanys tell.
a1492 W. Caxton tr. Vitas Patrum (1495) i. l. f. c/1 Thenne herynge tolde of the Relygyouses the gloryouse lyues of theym and many other, The sayde Onuffryen requyred of the sayde brethern that [etc.].
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lxv. 225 Ye neuer herd speke of a trewere nor more noble man.
1545 R. Ascham Toxophilus i. f. 47v Was neuer sene nor hard tel on yet.
1584 T. Cogan Hauen of Health cxxxvii. 123 I haue heard tell of a Bishoppe of this lande, that would haue eaten fryed frogs.
1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 322 He was..neuer afterwards seene or heard tell of.
1640 tr. G. S. du Verdier Love & Armes Greeke Princes ii. 71 The burning Knight, of whom it may be you have heard talk.
1640 tr. G. S. du Verdier Love & Armes Greeke Princes iii. 59 Hee would by no means hear speak of sleeping till Florisbell had related [etc.].
1658 J. Davies tr. H. D'Urfé Astrea III. 246 I have a great desire to see this man they call Lindamor, for I have heard tell such wonders of him, that I can hardly believe he is like unto other men.
1746 Duke of Perth in W. Fraser Earls of Cromartie (1876) II. 207 Before it be two days, if they do not send us other orders, they will hear tell of our having done something.
1783 S. Gunning Coombe Wood I. v. 87 'Tis a thousand pities that ever such fly-away folks should have come to Coombe Wood: 'tis enough to make one beside one's-self only to hear tell of 'em.
1816–20 J. Keats Poems 324 O mighty Princess, did you ne'er hear tell What your poor servants know but too too well?
1861 ‘G. Eliot’ Silas Marner vi. 94 We heared tell as he'd sold his own land.
1886 R. L. Stevenson Kidnapped ii. 9 I asked him if he had ever heard tell of a house they called the house of Shaws.
1892 G. F. X. Griffith tr. C. Fouard St. Peter 131 Even those who had heard tell of his conversion did not know [etc.].
1932 ‘L. G. Gibbon’ Sunset Song iv. 229 Did you ever hear tell of a body of a woman that wanted a new bairn put back in her womb?
1962 ‘C. Marchant’ Heritage of Folly i. 20 She'd heard tell that some of these out-of-the-way farms could be shockers.
2004 E. Mulvihill in M. Hickey Irish Days 248 Woodford is steeped in history, as you have heard tell of it.
c. Hence the gerundial phrase †(by) hearing say, (by) hearing it said (by) hearsay. Obsolete or dialect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > [adverb] > by hearsay
(by) hearing sayc1330
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 304 Edward vnderstode, þorgh oft heryng say, How [etc.].
a1492 W. Caxton tr. Vitas Patrum (1495) i. xxxvii. f. xlix/2 He sayde soo by heryng saye.
1525 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles II. cxxvii. [cxxiii.] 361 I knowe nothyng of the mater but by heryng saye.
a1533 Ld. Berners tr. A. de Guevara Golden Bk. M. Aurelius (1546) sig. B.vv Thei wrote by heryng saie.
1898 N.E.D. at Hear Mod. Sc. They knew by hearing tell of it.
d. to like to hear oneself speak, talk (and similar phrases): to be fond of talking; to hear oneself think: usually in neg. contexts, not to be able to think because there is too much noise going on.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > loquacity or talkativeness > be talkative [verb (intransitive)] > talk excessively or chatter
chavel?c1225
babblea1250
chattera1250
clacka1250
janglea1300
ganglec1300
clapc1315
mumblec1350
blabberc1375
carp1377
tatterc1380
garre1382
rattlec1400
clatter1401
chimec1405
gabc1405
pattera1450
smattera1450
languetc1450
pratec1460
chat1483
jabber1499
clittera1529
cackle1530
prattle1532
blatter1533
blab1535
to run on pattens1546
tattle1547
prittle-prattlea1555
trattlea1555
tittle-tattle1556
quiddlea1566
brabble1570
clicket1570
twattle1573
gabble1574
prittle1583
to like to hear oneself speak, talk1597
to word it1612
deblaterate1623
tongue1624
twitter1630
snatter1647
oversay1656
whiffle1706
to gallop away1711
splutter1728
gob1770
gibble-gabble1775
palaver1781
to talk (etc.) nineteen to the dozen1785
gammon1789
witter1808
yabble1808
yaff1808
mag1810
chelp1820
tongue-pad1825
yatter1825
potter1826
chipper1829
jaw-jaw1831
buzz1832
to shoot off one's mouth1864
yawp1872
blate1878
chin1884
yap1888
spiel1894
to talk (also lie, swear, etc.) a blue streak1895
to run off at the mouth1908
chattermag1909
clatfart1913
to talk a streak1915
to run one's mouth1916
natter1942
ear-bash1944
rabbit1950
yack1950
yacker1961
to eat parrot head (also bottom)1965
yacket1969
to twat on1996
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > hear [verb (intransitive)] > not hear for noise
to hear oneself think1920
1597 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet ii. iii. 138 Nur: Pray what saucie merchant was this..? Rom: A gentleman Nurse that loues to heare himselfe talke.
1781 King George III Lett. (1927) V. 304 Considering the great love modern Orators have of hearing themselves speak.
1920 R. Macaulay Potterism vi. iii. 226 I wish everyone would shut up, so that we could hear ourselves think.
1927 H. T. Lowe-Porter tr. T. Mann Magic Mountain (London ed.) II. vii. 779 You won't be able to hear yourselves think.
1934 J. E. Mansion Harrap's Fr. & Eng. Dict. 272/1 Discoureur... C'est un grand d., he likes to hear himself talk.
1962 New Yorker 12 May 38/1 You have to wear earplugs to hear yourself think.
4. To exercise the auditory function intentionally; to give ear, hearken, listen.
a. intransitive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > hear [verb (intransitive)] > listen
listenc950
hearkena1000
listc1000
lithea1225
yliþea1300
intendc1380
hear1382
to have or give a lista1400
to give audience (to)c1405
the mind > attention and judgement > attention > notice, observation > take note, observe [verb (intransitive)] > give ear, hearken
hearkenc1000
listc1000
understanda1200
listenc1225
hear1382
harka1400
to listen up1933
c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Matt. (Corpus Cambr.) xv. 10 gehyrað and ongytaþ.]
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) 1 Sam. iii. 9 Spek, Lord, for thi seruaunt herith.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 271 (heading) Hereþ now of þe trinite dere And of þe makyng of þis world here.
1482 J. Warkworth Chron. (Camden) 27 A castelle that spekethe, and a womane that wille here, thai wille be gotene bothe.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. ii. 23 Harstow, boy? Ther is a podyng in the pot.
1611 Bible (King James) 2 Sam. xx. 16 Then cried a wise woman out of the Citie, Heare, heare. View more context for this quotation
1702 N. Rowe Tamerlane i. i. 443 When first thy moving Accents Won me to hear.
b. transitive. To listen to (a person or thing) with more or less attention or understanding; to give ear to, hearken to; to give audience to. Originally with dative of the person or thing. to hear out, to listen to to the end: see out n.; to hear out: also, to distinguish (the sounds of something heard).
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > hear [verb (transitive)] > listen to
listenc950
hearOE
hearkenc1000
listc1175
to-heara1250
tend1340
attenda1400
to lay ear toa1400
receivea1425
intenda1500
ear1582
exhause1599
auscultate1892
catch1906
the mind > attention and judgement > attention > notice, observation > observe, note [verb (transitive)] > listen attentively, heed
listc897
listenc950
hearOE
hearkenc1000
harkc1175
listc1175
to-heara1250
listenc1290
to listen onc1330
to wait to ——c1440
regard1533
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > hear [verb (transitive)] > listen to > listen to end
abidea1450
to hear out1637
OE Cynewulf Juliana 371 Ic him geswete synna lustas, mæne modlufan, þæt he minum hraþe, leahtrum gelenge, larum hyreð.
c1160 Hatton Gosp. John viii. 47 Se þe is of gode he herð [Ags. G. gehyrð] godes word.
c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 127 And bigan þat folc..to here his wise lore.
c1230 Hali Meid. 3 Her me, dohter.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 666 Ne bið na man weri heora songes to heræn [c1300 Otho hure].
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 20510 Sittes stell now..And hers [Fairf. heris] now þis mirines.
c1440 Gesta Romanorum (Harl.) lvi. 239 He that hurithe the doctrine of the ioyes of paradys.
1475 Bk. Noblesse 79 He..disdeyned to hire theym.
1611 Bible (King James) 1 Sam. xxiv. 9 Wherfore hearest thou mens words? View more context for this quotation
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary i. 137 There is a Chamber [in the Vatican]..wherein Ambassadours are heard.
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary iii. 32 The Pharises..were to be heard, as sitting in the chaire of Moses.
1637 J. Shirley Gamester iii, in I. Reed Dodsley's Sel. Coll. Old Plays (1780) IX. 63 It will be inconvenient to hear out your curranto.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones V. xiv. iii. 131 I desire only to be heard out. View more context for this quotation
1841 E. W. Lane tr. Thousand & One Nights I. 81 Hear my story, O fisherman.
1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) I. 363 There was an agreement between us that you should hear me out.
1922 R. S. Woodworth Psychol. x. 230 By careful attention and training we can ‘hear out’ the separate overtones from the total blend.
c. With two objects, as to hear (one) his lessons: to listen to the recitation of his lessons.
ΘΚΠ
society > education > teaching > systematic or formal teaching > [verb (transitive)] > hear lessons, etc.
to hear (one) his lessons1804
1804 Lady Hunter in M. Hunter Jrnl. (1894) 202 I..have heard George and James their lessons.
1811 L.-M. Hawkins Countess & Gertrude II. xxxvii. 258 He hears some of the younger ones their lessons.
1894 R. D. Blackmore Perlycross I. xiv. 207 Three pupils, and not a lesson have I heard them.
5.
a. transitive. To attend and listen to (a lecture, sermon, play, musical performance, etc.); to form one of the audience at.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > hear [verb (transitive)] > listen to > be among audience at
hearc1375
the world > space > place > presence > be present at [verb (transitive)] > be present at (a proceeding or meeting) > as one of the audience
hearc1375
c1375 Lay Folks Mass Bk. App. iv. 2 Hou mon scholde here hys masse.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 9764 He mote þaim giue his benisoun, þat wil gladly here þis sarmoun.
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur xvii. ix Vpon the morowe whan they had herde masse.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. x He and the Quene heard euensong.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) Induct. ii. 130 They thought it good you heare a play. View more context for this quotation
1827 H. Hallam Constit. Hist. Eng. I. ii. 103 Many persons were sent to prison for hearing mass.
b. ‘To be a hearer of; to sit under the preaching of; as, what minister do you hear? (A colloquial use of the word.)’ Webster, 1828. Also absol.
ΚΠ
1783 W. Cowper Let. 8 Sept. (1981) II. 161 There are, however, many who have left the Church, and hear among the Dissenters.
6. transitive. To listen to judicially in a court of law; to give (one) a hearing; to try (a person or a case).
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > trying or hearing of cause > try or hear cause [verb (transitive)]
hearc1160
atry1330
tryc1330
to know upon ——1458
cognosce1607
advise1609
knowledge1609
c1160 Hatton Gosp. John vii. 51 Demð ure eæ anigene man bute hyne man ær hyre [Ags. G. gehyre]?
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Deut. i. 17 The litil ȝe shulen here as the more.
1484 Lett. etc. Rich. III (Rolls) I. 79 If any persone wolle come and compleyn of any of the said baillieffes that they shalbe herd.
1609 J. Skene tr. Regiam Majestatem Table 62 He quha first accuses, is first hard.
1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher Henry VIII v. iii. 154 His Royall selfe in Iudgement comes to heare The cause. View more context for this quotation
1709 J. Addison Tatler No. 121. ⁋1 They are so in haste, that they never hear out the Case.
1845 H. H. Wilson Hist. Brit. India 1805–35 I. ii. 115 Three Judges were appointed to the special duty of hearing appeals from the courts below.
1891 Law Rep.: Weekly Notes 19 Dec. 202/2 The plaintiff ought to have had an opportunity of being heard before he was dismissed.
7.
a. To listen to with compliance or assent; to accede to, grant (a request or prayer). Chiefly in scriptural use.
ΚΠ
971 Blickl. Hom. 49 Gif him mon þonne hyran nelle, þonne mot se mæsse-preost hit wrecan.
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 63 Ah lauerd god her ure bone.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Matt. xviii. 15 Ȝif he shal heere thee, thou hast wonnen thi brother.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Luke i. 13 Zacharie, drede thou not; for thi preier is herd.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 10499 ‘Anna’, he said, ‘herd es þi bone, þou salt haf child and þat wel sone’.
1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) ii. 188 Though ye deserue not to be harde for youre selfe, yet that he wylle graunte you youre askynges.
1563 N. Winȝet Certain Tractates (1888) I. 91 That altar, vpon the quhilk the prayaris of all acceptit and hard be our heuinly Father are offerit.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 73 The king..sent to Rome..with his excuse, which the Pope woulde in no wise heere.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 142 Orpheus's dying Pray'rs at length are heard . View more context for this quotation
1827 J. Keble Christian Year II. lxxxvii. 140 The prayer is heard.
b. to hear of, with will (would) and negative: to refuse to listen to, entertain the notion of, consent to, or permit.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > prohibition > prohibit [verb (transitive)] > disallow or refuse permission
haveOE
refusec1485
impreve1488
denyc1515
suppressa1538
disallow1563
to hear of1584
1584 H. Llwyd & D. Powel Hist. Cambria 274 He would in no case heare of reconciliation.
a1657 W. Burton Comm. Antoninus his Itinerary (1658) 150 The learned Antiquary will not hear of it.
1785 Mrs. S. Boys Coalition I. 143 She would not hear of it.
1796 C. Smith Marchmont IV. 347 He would by no means hear of her going.
1879 M. Oliphant Within Precincts II. xxix. 252 Mother would not hear of her staying.
c. to hear to, to listen to, to hear of. U.S.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > hear [verb (intransitive)] > listen > listen to
listc897
harkc1175
to open one's earsa1200
listenc1290
to listen onc1330
tend1340
to lay to one's eara1382
attend1447
hearken to1526
to listen one's ears (or an ear) toa1533
to hear to1833
1833 H. Barnard in Maryland Hist. Mag. (1918) 13 379 I made a move to depart—but they would not hear to that.
1869 H. B. Stowe Oldtown Folks xx. 243 She has her own ways and doings, and she won't hear to reason.
1915 E. Poole Harbor 202 When I tried at last to turn our talk to our affairs at home, at first she would not hear to it.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > obedience > obey or be obedient to [verb (transitive)]
hearsumc900
hearc950
buxomc1305
obeya1325
servea1325
obeisha1382
obtempera1475
obtemperate?a1475
follow1523
mind1559
obseque1720
c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Mark iv. 41 Hua..is ðes þæte ec wind and sæ herað him.
c1000 Ælfric Exodus xiv. 31 Þæt Israhelisce folc..hyrdon Gode and Moise his þeowe.
c1380 Eng. Wycliffite Serm. in Sel. Wks. I. 214 [Crist] ordeynede many folk to here alweie þis newe lawe.
1700 M. Prior Carmen Sæculare 9 The fiery Pegasus disdains To mind the Rider's Voice, or hear the Reins.
1710 W. Congreve Ode to Ld. Godolphin in Wks. III. 1099 The Beast..Whom soon he tam'd to Use, and taught to hear the Reins.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > be under authority [verb (intransitive)]
hearc893
understand?a1200
subservec1443
subjectc1475
acquiesce1660
truck1665
truckle1667
to be at the beck and call of1869
c893 tr. Orosius Hist. i. i. §22 Þas land eall hyrað to Denemearcan.
940 Chart. Eadmund in Cod. Dipl. III. 415 Se haga æt Wiltune ðe hyrð into Wilig.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 12007 Þa hafuenes alle þe herden to þan londes.
?a1300 Shires of Eng. in Old Eng. Misc. 146 Her-to hereþ viii store schire.
10.
a. transitive. To learn or get to know by hearing; to receive or obtain as information; to be told; to be informed of.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > information > action of informing > give (information) [verb (transitive)] > be informed of
hearc950
witc1000
haveOE
learnc1175
undergoc1290
takea1333
receivec1400
aherec1450
partakea1593
get1608
intelligence1637
to get wind of1809
to take away1839
c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Luke xvi. 2 Huætd ðis ic hero from ðe? [Ags. G. Hwi gehyre ic þis be þe?]
c1160 Hatton Gosp. Luke xvi. 2 Hwi here ich þis be þe?
c1290 Beket 814 in S. Eng. Leg. I. 130 To court eft-soone he wende, For-to heore [v.r. hure] þe kingus wille.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1370 Sum good tiding heren or sen.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 4192 His fader of him hirs na ti-þand.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin ii. 32 I shall often..brynge soche tidinges as thow shalt put in thi boke. And wite it well, peple shulbe glad euer to heiren it.
1529 T. More Dialogue Heresyes i, in Wks. 159/1 The Jewes that were vnworthy to hyre it, were offended.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 377 The next newes that was heard of him, was, that he was slaine in Louaine.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ix. 888 Adam, soon as he heard The fatal Trespass don by Eve. View more context for this quotation
1782 W. Cowper Conversation in Poems 252 Great changes and new manners have occurr'd, And blest reforms that I have never heard.
1893 W. T. Wawn S. Sea Islanders 53 The inquiry over, I heard nothing more about the matter.
b. with object clause.
ΚΠ
OE Beowulf 2172 Hyrde ic þæt he ðone healsbeah Hygde gesealde.
c1050 Byrhtferth's Handboc in Anglia (1885) 8 321 We habbað on gastlicum gewritum oft ge~hyred þæt us ys beboden.
c1160 Hatton Gosp. John ix. 32 Ne herde [Ags. G. gehyrde] we næfre..þæt anyg un-tynde þas eagen.
c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 63 Nu ȝe hauen herd þat ure drihten bit turnen to him, hereð nu o hu uele wise.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Gen. xlii. 2 I haue herd that wheet is sold in Egipte.
1559 W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 5 Let me here what you call Cosmographie.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) iv. ii. 109 I likewise heare that Valentine is dead. View more context for this quotation
1670 Lady M. Bertie in 12th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1890) App. v. 21 I am very sorry to heare that the small pox increases so as to fright you from Exton.
1674 N. Cox Gentleman's Recreation ii. 108 Garlick I have heard will doe the like.
1746 Tom Thumb's Trav. 32 The courteous Behaviour of the Inhabitants, which, I hear, is habitual to them.
1808 Sketches of Char. (1813) I. 198 I hear there are no lodgings to be had.
11.
a. absol. or intransitive. To be informed, learn; to receive information or tidings of, or obtain news concerning; to receive a message or letter from. Also, (pregnantly) to receive a reprimand from.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > information > action of informing > give information [verb (intransitive)] > be informed
hear tellOE
hearc1320
to hear recorda1500
understand1574
learn1756
c1320 Cast. Love 1371 Ȝe habbeþ i-herd nou riht Of his strengþe and of his miht.
a1400–50 Alexander 2667 As sone as Darye þe derfe of þis dede heris.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) cxxvii. 466 They neuer had hard of suche a myracle.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 1866 Ne I hardely herde of hym hade in my lyue.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry V f. lxxviii Therle of Suffolk..hearyng of their doynges.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) iv. iii. 36–8 I heard no Letter from my Master..Nor heare I from my Mistris, who did promise To yeeld me often tydings. View more context for this quotation
1776 Trial Maha Rajah Nundocomar for Forgery 23/1 Would you not have heard if he had been so ill as not to be able to come out?
1827 R. Southey Select. from Lett. (1856) IV. 168 I too had been looking to hear from you.
1836 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers (1837) ii. 17 You shall hear from me in the morning, Sir.
1898 N.E.D. at Hear Mod. When did you hear from your son in South Africa? We hear from him regularly every mail. He has never been heard of since.
1907 Munsey's Mag. Dec. 307/1 If those louts up at the castle neglected to have dinner ready.., they would hear from him... If they didn't [spring at his word] they always heard from him.
b. to hear of it: to be spoken to about it; to be called to account for it. colloquial.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > rebuke or reproof > rebuke or reprove [verb (intransitive)] > be rebuked or scolded
to hear of it1598
to get on (also upon) the finger ends1693
to get one's lug in one's loof1744
to get wrong1803
to catch or get Jesse1839
to come in for it1841
to get hell1851
to cop (also stop, catch, get, etc.) a packet1916
to have a strip torn off1940
1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 i. iii. 122 Send vs your prisoners, or you wil heare of it . View more context for this quotation
1658 W. Gurnall Christian in Armour: 2nd Pt. 442 We..look to finde them at hand, on the shelf, cleane and fit for present use, or our servants shall hear of it.
1898 N.E.D. at Hear Mod. You'd better not do it again, or you'll hear of it.
c. to have heard of: to have become or been made aware of (a fact, etc.) in the course of one's experience; to have heard tell of. Frequently in negative contexts, often with never.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > knowledge, what is known > have knowledge of [verb (intransitive)]
canOE
to know of ——c1350
savoura1382
understanda1400
kenc1400
weeta1547
to keep up to1712
to know about ——1761
to be (or get) wise to1896
to wise up1905
to have heard of1907
to be (or get) jerry (on, on to, to)1908
1907 G. B. Shaw John Bull's Other Island i. 8 Have you ever heard of Garden City?
1925 F. S. Fitzgerald Great Gatsby i. 12 ‘Who with?’ I told him. ‘Never heard of them,’ he remarked decisively.
1954 W. Faulkner Fable 34 I have heard of your United States Coca-Cola.
1986 N.Y. Times 16 Apr. a2/4 Similarly, he said he had never heard of Dr. Jesa Vidic.
a. To be reported or spoken (well or ill) of. [After Greek εὖ, κακῶς ἀκούειν, Latin bene, male audire.]
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > narration > direct speech > [verb (intransitive)] > be spoken of
hear1583
1583 G. Babington Very Fruitfull Expos. Commaundem. ix. 442 Desire ever..rather to heare well, than to be rich: yea..to leaue vnto thy posteritie an honest report and name, before heapes of anie riches.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. v. sig. E2v O what of Gods then boots it to be borne, If old Aveugles sonnes so euill heare?
a1656 Bp. J. Hall Invisible World (1659) ii. i. 81 Aristotle himself (who is wont to hear ill for his opinion of the soules mortality).
1659 T. Burton Diary (1828) IV. 147 You have been three days upon it. It hears ill abroad.
1706 G. Stanhope Paraphr. Epist. & Gospels III. 502 If such Indulgences hear ill in the World, and naturally expose a Man to Censure and Disrepute.
b. to hear rather: to prefer to hear, to prefer to be addressed or called. (A Latinism.)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > naming > give a name to [verb (transitive)] > have or bear (name) > prefer to be called
to hear rather1829
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iii. 7 Or hear'st thou rather pure Ethereal stream, Whose Fountain who shall tell? View more context for this quotation
1829 C. Lamb Let. 10 Nov. (1935) III. 231 Dear Fugue-ist, or hear'st thou rather Contrapuntist—?
13.
a. The imperative hear!, now usually repeated, hear! hear! (formerly hear him! hear him!) is used as an exclamation to call attention to a speaker's words and hence has become a general expression of approbation or ‘cheering’.It is now the regular form of cheering [cheer n.1 7] in the House of Commons, and expresses, according to intonation, admiration, acquiescence, indignation, derision, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > commend or praise [verb (intransitive)] > by specific expression
hear! hear!1689
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > expressions of commendation [interjection]
well-donea1500
macte1573
hear- him1727
hear1768
that's your sort1792
top marks1829
that's the spirit1853
good for you (also him, her, etc.)1855
good man1887
good egg1903
attaboy1909
to go up (also down) one1909
right on1911
hotcha1931
thataboy1936
hubba-hubba1944
chapeau1976
1689 Sir E. Seymour 19 Feb. in Cobbett Parl. Hist. V. 122 I see gentlemen speak here under great disadvantages..When gentlemen speak with reflections, and cry ‘hear him, hear him’, they [the former] cannot speak with freedom.
1689 H. Capel in Cobbett Parl. Hist. V. 122 When Seymour was in the Chair, I have heard ‘Hear him, hear him’, often said in the house.
1762 S. Foote Orators ii. 53 Ter. Dermot, be easy— Scam. Hear him— Tire. Hear him— Ter. Ay, hear him, hear him.
1768 Ld. J. Cavendish Speech House of Commons 8 Dec. in Sir H. Cavendish Deb. (1841) I. 96 Let us..give a dispassionate attention to everything that passes. [Hear!] That very word ‘hear!’ I dread of all others.
1769 F. Norton Speech in Sir H. Cavendish Deb. (1841) I. 432 The common law is as much the law as the statute law. [Mr. Grenville called out hear! hear!] If the hon. gentleman will hear, by and by he will hear.
1770 G. Grenville Speech 16 Feb. in Sir H. Cavendish Deb. (1841) I. 461 The House will be obliged to you [the Speaker] for your information. [Hear, Hear!] Mr. Speaker, I beg the House will be silent. I am sure that is disorderly.
1783 Gentleman's Mag. 53 ii. 822 As to himself, he was free to acknowledge..the hand which he had in it (A cry of Hear him! Hear him!) By the cry of Hear Him! said his Lordship, gentlemen seem to think I am going to make a confession.
1803 in Stanhope Life Pitt (1862) IV. 49 When he [Pitt] sat down there followed three of the..most enthusiastic bursts of applause I ever heard..as far as I observed, however, it was confined to the parliamentary ‘Hear him! Hear him!’
1812 Parl. Deb. 5 May in Examiner 11 May 292/2 Orders were sent off to Mr. Henry to withdraw from the United States.—(Hear, hear!)
1865 J. R. Lowell Scotch Snake in Prose Wks. (1890) V. 251 One Noble Lord or Honorable Member asking a question, and another Noble Lord or Honorable Member endeavoring to dodge it, amid cries of Hear! Hear!
b. Hence as noun. hear, hear! n. (formerly hear- him), a cheer. Also hear-hear v. (intransitive) to shout ‘hear! hear!’; transitive, to acclaim with shouts of ‘hear! hear!’; to cheer.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > expressions of commendation [interjection]
well-donea1500
macte1573
hear- him1727
hear1768
that's your sort1792
top marks1829
that's the spirit1853
good for you (also him, her, etc.)1855
good man1887
good egg1903
attaboy1909
to go up (also down) one1909
right on1911
hotcha1931
thataboy1936
hubba-hubba1944
chapeau1976
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > [noun] > an instance, act, or expression of > shout of approval > specific
hear, hear!1727
hear- him1727
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > commend or praise [verb (transitive)] > shout approval of
hear-hear1883
1727 A. Pope et al. Περι Βαθους: Art of Sinking 73 in J. Swift et al. Misc.: Last Vol. The Hear him of the House of Commons.
1749 Visct. Bolingbroke Lett. Spirit Patriotism 48 With repeated hear-hims ringing in his ears.
1836 London & Westm. Rev. Apr. 233 The hear hims are more fervent than on almost any other occasion.
1836 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers (1837) vii. 71 I thank my honourable friend, if he will allow me to call him so—(four hears, and one certainly from Mr. Jingle)—for the suggestion.
1856 C. Dickens Little Dorrit (1857) i. xxxiv. 302 Hearing, and ohing, and cheering.
1879 G. Campbell White & Black in U.S. 374 The members seemed generally very quiet; there was little ‘Hear, hearing!’
1883 Standard 3 Apr. 5/4 He..‘hear, hears’ the member for Northampton.
1895 Daily News 3 Dec. 3/1 Mr. Morley's explanation of his position..was received with sympathetic hear, hears.
Derivatives
hear-ˈhearer n. As sense 13.
ΚΠ
1868 B. Disraeli Speech in Comm. 3 Apr. If the hear-hearers have their way.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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v.c893- rock bass
- rock beat
- rock beater
- rock beauty
- rock beauty angelfish
- rock bed
- rock bind
- rock binder
- rock biscuit
- rock bit
- rock blackfish
- rock blasting
- rock bluff
- rock bolt
- rock bolting
- rock borer
- rock brake
- rock bun
- rock bunting
- rock butter
- rock button-flower
- rock buttonflower
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