Lis"ten (lĭs"'n), v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Listened (-'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. hlosēn to listen, Gr. kly`ein, and E.
loud. √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.
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.
2. To give heed; to yield to advice; to
follow admonition; to obey.
Listen to me, and by me be ruled.
Tennyson.
To listen after, to take an interest
in. [Obs.]
Soldiers note forts, armories, and magazines; scholars
listen after libraries, disputations, and
professors.
Fuller.
Syn. -- To attend; hearken. See Attend.
Lis"ten, v. t. To attend to.
[Obs.] Shak.