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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Listen \Lis"ten\ (l[i^]s"'n), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Listened}
(l[i^]s"'nd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Listening}.] [OE. listnen,
listen, lustnen, lusten, AS. hlystan; akin to hlyst hearing,
OS. hlust, Icel. hlusta to listen, hlust ear, AS. hlosnian to
wait in suspense, OHG. hlos[=e]n to listen, Gr. kly`ein, and
E. loud. [root]41. See {Loud}, and cf. {List} to listen.]
1. To give close attention with the purpose of hearing; to
give ear; to hearken; to attend.
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When we have occasion to listen, and give a more
particular attention to some sound, the tympanum is
drawn to a more than ordinary tension. --Holder.
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2. To give heed; to yield to advice; to follow admonition; to
obey.
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Listen to me, and by me be ruled. --Tennyson.
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{To listen after}, to take an interest in. [Obs.]
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Soldiers note forts, armories, and magazines;
scholars listen after libraries, disputations, and
professors. --Fuller.

Syn: To attend; hearken. See {Attend}.
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listening \listening\ n.
the act of hearing attentively.

Syn: hearing.
[WordNet 1.5]