harken
Definition
- Verb:
- To listen attentively; to give heed: The verb "harken" (also spelled "hearken") means to listen carefully or pay close attention. It is an archaic or literary term, most commonly used in the imperative form to urge someone to listen.
Usage
- The word "harken" is primarily used in formal, literary, or poetic contexts. Its most frequent use is in the imperative mood ("Harken!") as a command to listen. In modern everyday English, "listen" is the standard term.
Examples
- Verb:
- "Harken to my words, for they are wise." (Listen carefully to my words, for they are wise.)
- The old tale began, "Harken, all who wish to know the truth." (The old tale began, "Listen, all who wish to know the truth.")
- She asked the council to harken to the concerns of the people. (She asked the council to pay heed to the concerns of the people.)
Advanced Usage
- "To harken back to": This is a more common modern phrasal use. It means to recall or return to a previous topic, era, or style.
- The new design harkens back to the architecture of the 1920s. (The new design recalls/evokes the architecture of the 1920s.)
- His speech harkened back to the founding principles of the nation. (His speech returned to the discussion of the nation's founding principles.)
Variants and Related Words
- Hearken: This is an alternative spelling of "harken." The two words are interchangeable, with "hearken" being equally archaic.
- Hark: A related verb, also archaic and used in the imperative, meaning to listen or pay attention (e.g., ).
Synonyms
- Listen: To give attention with the ear.
- Attend: To pay attention.
- Heed: To pay careful attention to.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Harken back to: To recall or evoke an earlier style, idea, or topic. (As detailed in the "Advanced Usage" section above.)
Related Idioms
- While there are no common idioms using "harken" alone, the phrasal verb "harken back to" functions idiomatically to mean "to recall or resemble something from the past."
Verb
-
listen; used mostly in the imperative
