listen
UK[ˈlɪsn]US[ˈlɪsn]
v
To pay attention to a sound or to someone speaking.
v
To take notice of and act on what someone says.
Etymology
The verb 'listen' originates from the Old English 'hlysnan', which itself is related to the Old English noun 'hlūd', meaning 'loud', suggesting an original sense of 'hearing a sound'. This Old English term is traced back to the Proto-Germanic root 'hlusinōną', meaning 'to listen', and further to the Proto-Indo-European root 'ḱlew-', which carries the core meaning 'to hear'. The semantic journey is direct, moving from the fundamental physical act of hearing a sound to the more focused and intentional act of paying attention to it. The modern spelling was standardized in the Middle English period, simplifying from its Old English form while retaining its core, unanalyzable meaning.
Analysis
The word 'listen' is a simplex word of Old English origin. It is derived from the Old English verb 'hlysnan', meaning 'to hear, listen'. The modern spelling and form evolved through Middle English (listen, listnen) from this single, indivisible root.
Examples
Please listen carefully to the instructions.
He never seems to listen to my advice.
We sat on the porch to listen to the rain.