hearken
/'hɑ:kən/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To listen attentively; to give heed: An archaic or literary verb meaning to pay close attention to what is heard, often implying a receptive or obedient attitude. It is most commonly used in the imperative mood to command attention.
Examples of Usage
- Verb:
- "Hearken to the wisdom of your elders."
- "The king commanded his subjects to hearken to his decree."
- "Hearken! A voice calls from the wilderness."
Advanced Usage
- "hearken back to": To recall or return to something from the past; to evoke a memory or earlier style. This is the most common modern usage of the word.
- "The new policy seems to hearken back to the practices of a bygone era."
- "The design hearkens back to the Art Deco movement."
Variants and Related Words
- Hark (verb): A synonym, also archaic and often used in the imperative ("Hark!"), meaning to listen.
- Hearkener (noun): One who hearkens (rarely used).
Synonyms
- Listen: To give attention with the ear.
- Attend: To pay attention.
- Hark: To listen (archaic).
- Give ear: To listen (idiomatic/archaic).
Related Phrasal Verbs / Constructions
- Hearken to: The core construction, meaning to listen to something.
- "You must hearken to the instructions carefully."
- Hearken back to: As described in 'Advanced Usage'.
Related Idioms
- To hearken unto (archaic/biblical): A variant of "hearken to," often found in religious or historical texts.
- "My son, hearken unto my words."
Verb
- listen; used mostly in the imperative