English

Verb

give ear

1. (idiomatic, archaic, intransitive) To listen: to devote one's attention to an auditory event.
   • 1599, William Shakespeare, The Merry Wives of Windsor, I.i

     Give ear to his motions: Master Slender, I will description the matter to you, if you be capacity of it.

   • (Can we date this quote?) Dante Gabriel Rosetti, A Death-Parting, lines 5-6

     Leaves and rain and the days of the year,

     ( Water-willow and wellaway,)

     All these fall, and my soul gives ear