hearken
pronunciation
How to pronounce hearken in British English:
UK [ˈhɑ:kən]
How to pronounce hearken in American English:
US [ˈhɑrkən]
-
- Verb:
- listen; used mostly in the imperative
Word Origin
- hearken (v.)
- late Old English heorcnian "to give ear, listen" (intransitive); hear with attention" (transitive), a suffixed form of *heorcian (root of hark); from Proto-Germanic *hausjan (see hear). Harken is the usual spelling in U.S. and probably is better justified by etymology; OED says preference for hearken in British use likely is from influence of hear.
Example
- 1. Nor should it be forgotten that certain liberals hearken to humanitarian intervention and democracy promotion .
- 2. And if for this ye hearken not to me , and have walked with me in opposition .
- 3. And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me , but walk contrary unto me .
- 4. Hearken unto me , hester prynne ! Said the voice .
- 5. But my people would not hearken to my voice ; and israel would none of me .