ˈhi(ə)r, -iə verb
( heard ˈhərd, ˈhə̄d ; also dialect heared or heerd or heered ˈhi(ə)rd, -i(ə)d ; or hearn or heern ˈhi(ə)rn, -i(ə)n ; heard also dialect heared or heerd or heered or hearn or heern ; hearing ; hears )
Etymology: Middle English heren, from Old English hīeran, hȳran, hēran; akin to Old High German hōren to hear, Old Norse heyra, Gothic hausjan to hear, Latin cavēre to be on one's guard, Greek akouein to hear, koein to notice, hear, Sanskrit kavi clever, wise
transitive verb
1. : to be made aware of by the ear : apprehend by the ear
so great was the din that I could not hear him
he could hear the distant rumble of the native drums
2. : to be informed or gain knowledge of by hearing
hear that business is picking up
heard that you were ill
heard nothing more about the affair
— often used in the phrase hear say
I've heard say that he has been married before
and heard tell
ain't heard tell of them since I don't know when — Hamilton Basso
you may have heard tell of the wonder chemical, fluorine — American Girl
3.
a. : to listen to with favor or compliance : grant
the Lord has heard my prayers
b. : to listen to with care or attention : give audience to
won't you hear my side of the story
would not hear the envoy, and angrily dismissed him
would not hear me through
they heard him out, hiding their skepticism — F.D.Downey
c. : to attend and listen to
hear a concert
hear mass
d. : to listen to the recitation of
he wants me to hear him his part — Christopher Isherwood
4.
a. : to give a legal hearing to
hear a case
the judge refused to hear their claims
b.
(1) : to take testimony from
the committee heard 345 witnesses
(2) : to take (testimony) usually at a hearing
the committee's decision to hear testimony … on the condition of natives — Current Biography
intransitive verb
1. : to have the capacity of apprehending sound
he can't hear at all, poor fellow
2.
a. : to gain information through oral communication : have a report : learn
have heard about your doings
who ever heard of such a thing
b. : to receive a message or letter
haven't heard from him in two months
3. : to entertain the idea : consent , yield — used in negative construction with of
will not hear of my going
or to
would not hear to it — Clyde Eagleton
4. : to receive a scolding or tongue-lashing or punishment
another complaint and you'll hear from me
5. — often used in the expression Hear! Hear! during a speech to call attention to the words of the speaker or in applause