— listener , n.
/lis"euhn/ , v.i.
1. to give attention with the ear; attend closely for the purpose of hearing; give ear.
2. to pay attention; heed; obey (often fol. by to ): Children don't always listen to their parents.
3. to wait attentively for a sound (usually fol. by for ): to listen for sounds of their return.
4. Informal. to convey a particular impression to the hearer; sound: The new recording doesn't listen as well as the old one.
v.t.
5. Archaic. to give ear to; hear.
6. listen in ,
a. to listen to a radio or television broadcast: Listen in tomorrow for the names of the lottery winners.
b. to overhear a conversation or communication, esp. by telephone; eavesdrop: Someone was listening in to his private calls.
[ bef. 950; ME lis ( t ) nen, OE hlysnan; c. MHG lüsenen, Sw lyssna; akin to LIST 5 ]
Syn. 1. See hear .