Middle English heren, from Old English hīeran; akin to Old High German hōren to hear, and probably to Latin cavēre to be on guard, Greek akouein to hear
Date:
before 12th century
transitive verb1: to perceive or apprehend by the ear2: to gain knowledge of by hearing3 a: to listen to with attention :heedb:attend<hear mass>4 a: to give a legal hearing tob: to take testimony from <hear witnesses>intransitive verb1: to have the capacity of apprehending sound2 a: to gain information :learnb: to receive communication <haven't heard from her lately>3: to entertain the idea —used in the negative <wouldn't hear of it>4—often used in the expression Hear! Hear! to express approval (as during a speech)