[lis.ten] vb lis.tened ; lis.ten.ing [ME listnen, fr. OE hlysnan; akin to Skt srosati he hears, OE hlud loud] vt (bef. 12c) archaic: to give ear to: hear ~ vi 1: to pay attention to sound "~ to music"
2: to hear something with thoughtful attention: give consideration "~ to a plea"
3: to be alert to catch an expected sound "~ for his step" -- lis.ten.er n
[2]listen n (1788): an act of listening