hearken (first e silent), herken, herknen, harkne

t. & i. [A. S. hyrcnian, heorc nian, from hýran = to hear; cogn. with O. Dut. horcken, horken, harcken, from Dut. hooren = to hear; Ger. horchen, from O. H. Ger hórjan; Ger. hören to hear.] A. Transitive : 1. To hear by listening; to perceive with the ear. "[I] hearken, if I may, her busine here." Milton: Comus, 169. 2. To listen to with attention; to pay attention to; to regard. "The king of Naples hearkens my brother's suit." Shakesp.: Tempest , i. 2. B. Intransitive: 1. To listen; to lend the ear; to pay attention, regard, or obedience. "To hearken once again to the suit." Shakesp.: Tempest , iii. 2. *2. To inquire; to ask about. "Hearken after their offense." Shakesp.: Much Ado about Nothing , v. 1. *3. To be on the alert; to lie in wait. "The youngest daughter whom you hearken for." Shakesp.: Taming of the Shrew , i. 2. *4. To listen, to follow the dictates of. "Such is the simplicity of man to hearken after the flesh."-Shakesp.: Love's Labor's Lost , i. 1.