Lis"ten (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Listened (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Listening.] [OE. listnen, listen, lustnen, lusten, AS. hlystan; akin to hlyst hearing, OS. hlust, Icel. hlusta to listen, hlust ear, AS. hlosnian to wait in suspense, OHG. hlos�xc7;n to listen, Gr. , and E. loud. &root;41. See Loud, and cf. List to listen.]
1.
To give close attention with the purpose of hearing; to give ear; to hearken; to attend.
When we have occasion to listen, and give a more particular attention to same sound, the tympanum is drawn to a more than ordinary tension.
Holder.
2.
To give heed; to yield to advice; to follow admonition; to obey.
Listen to me, and by me be ruled.
Tennyson.
To listen after, to take an interest in. [Obs.]
Soldiers note forts, armories, and magazines; scholars listen after libraries, disputations, and professors.
Fuller.
Syn. -- To attend; hearken. See Attend.
© Webster 1913.
Lis"ten, v. t.
To attend to.
[Obs.]
Shak.
© Webster 1913.