Definition of the word hearken

The term "hearken" is an archaic English verb that refers to the act of listening attentively or inclining oneself to obey. The word has its roots in Middle English and Old Norse languages, and its origins can be traced back to Old English. In Old English, the word "hieran" was used to mean "to hear" or "pay attention." It was closely related to the Old Norse word "herran," meaning "to hear" or "obey." Over time, the Old English verb evolved into Middle English "herkene," which retained its meaning of "to hear" but with an added connotation of attentiveness or obedience. The spelling of the word changed over time, with the "h-" sound being dropped in Late Middle English, resulting in the Modern English word "arken," meaning "to listen attentively" or "be attentive." The use of "hearken," which adds an "e" to the beginning of the word, is a dialectical variant that is still in use today, particularly in poetic or archaic texts. In summary, the word "hearken" is derived from Old English "hieran" and Old Norse "herran," and its current meaning reflects its evolution from an older English term for "to hear" to a more specific sense of attentive listening or compliance.