Hearken: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
hearken
[ หhษrkษn ]
listen carefully
To hearken means to listen attentively or to pay close attention. It is often used in a literary or poetic context to convey a sense of urgency or importance in the act of listening. The term suggests more than just hearing; it implies a deeper level of engagement with what is being said or presented. In historical texts, 'hearken' is frequently employed to draw the audience's focus towards a crucial message or event. This verb is somewhat archaic and is less commonly used in modern conversation.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- He hearkened to the wise words of the elder.
- The crowd hearkened to the announcement from the stage.
- In her speech, she urged everyone to hearken to the call for action.
Translations
Translations of the word "hearken" in other languages:
๐ต๐น ouvir
๐ฎ๐ณ เคธเฅเคจเคจเคพ
๐ฉ๐ช lauschen
๐ฎ๐ฉ mendengarkan
๐บ๐ฆ ัะปัั ะฐัะธ
๐ต๐ฑ sลuchaฤ
๐ฏ๐ต ่ใ
๐ซ๐ท รฉcouter
๐ช๐ธ escuchar
๐น๐ท dinlemek
๐ฐ๐ท ๋ฃ๋ค
๐ธ๐ฆ ุงุณุชู ุน
๐จ๐ฟ naslouchat
๐ธ๐ฐ poฤรบvaลฅ
๐จ๐ณ ๅพๅฌ
๐ธ๐ฎ posluลกati
๐ฎ๐ธ hlusta
๐ฐ๐ฟ ััาฃะดะฐั
๐ฌ๐ช แแแฃแกแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ eลitmษk
๐ฒ๐ฝ escuchar
Etymology
The word 'hearken' originates from the Old English term 'hercnian,' which means 'to listen.' The evolution of the word reflects the linguistic changes over centuries, particularly from Old English into Middle English, where it appeared in various forms such as 'hercan.' In historical texts, its usage often carried a sense of formality and gravitas. 'Hearken' was commonly found in religious or poetic writings, where urging listeners to pay attention to moral lessons or significant events was paramount. The spelling and pronunciation evolved, and by the late Middle Ages, 'hearken' became the more prevalent form used in literature. However, as the English language modernized, 'hearken' fell out of common usage, replaced by simpler terms such as 'listen' or 'hear.' Despite this decline, it remains an evocative word in literary contexts, often evoking a sense of nostalgia and reverence for the act of attentive listening.