Main Entry: hear

Pronunciation: \ˈhir\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): heard \ˈhərd\; hear·ing \ˈhir-iŋ\

Etymology: Middle English heren, from Old English hīeran; akin to Old High German hōren to hear, and probably to Latin cavēre to be on guard, Greek akouein to hear

Date: before 12th century

transitive verb 1 : to perceive or apprehend by the ear
2 : to gain knowledge of by hearing
3 a : to listen to with attention : heed b : attend <hear mass>
4 a : to give a legal hearing to b : to take testimony from <hear witnesses>intransitive verb 1 : to have the capacity of apprehending sound
2 a : to gain information : learn b : to receive communication <haven't heard from her lately>
3 : to entertain the idea —used in the negative <wouldn't hear of it>
4 —often used in the expression Hear! Hear! to express approval (as during a speech)

— hear·er \ˈhir-ər\ noun