auricular

1. not comparablerelationalOf or pertaining to the ear.

   […] our performances are pastimes jocular, To please the auricular organ and the ocular.

   1780, Kane O'Hara, “Address to the Audience by Punch, on the Opening of the Microcosm”, in Songs in the Comic Opera of Tom Thumb the Great, Dublin: Arthur Grueber, page vi

   Synonyms: otic

   1. not comparablerelationalanatomyOf or pertaining to the sense of hearing.

      The auricular nerves were damaged.

      Synonyms: otic, auditory, aural

   2. not comparablerelationalTold to the ear; told privately.

      auricular confession to the priest

      Synonyms: otic

   3. not comparablerelationalRecognized by the ear; understood by the sense of hearing.

      auricular evidence

      3 more examples

      […] I will place you where you shall hear us confer of this and by an auricular assurance have your satisfaction, […]

      c. 1603–1606 (date written), [William Shakespeare], […] His True Chronicle Historie of the Life and Death of King Lear and His Three Daughters. […] (First Quarto), London: […] Nathaniel Butter, […], published 1608, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii]

      [I]n the practises [astrology, natural magic and alchemy] are full of Errour and vanitie; which the great Professors themselues haue sought to vaile ouer and conceale by enigmaticall writings, and referring themselues to auricular traditions, and such other deuises, to saue the credite of Impostures; […]

      1605, Francis Bacon, “The First Booke”, in The Twoo Bookes of Francis Bacon. Of the Proficience and Aduancement of Learning, Diuine and Humane, London: […] [Thomas Purfoot and Thomas Creede] for Henrie Tomes, […], →OCLC

      When she ceased the auricular impressions from their previous endearments seemed to hustle away into the corners of their brains, repeating themselves as echoes from a time of supremely purblind foolishness.

      1891, Thomas Hardy, chapter XXV, in Tess of the d’Urbervilles: A Pure Woman Faithfully Presented […], volume II, London: James R[ipley] Osgood, McIlvaine and Co., […], →OCLC, phase the fifth (The Woman Pays), page 200

      Synonyms: otic

2. not comparablerelationalanatomyPertaining to the auricles of the heart.
3. not comparablerelationalartPertaining to a style of ornamental decoration, originating in Northern Europe in the first half of the 17th century, that uses softly flowing abstract shapes in relief some of which bear a resemblance to the human ear; commonly used in silverware, picture frames, and architecture.

plural auriculars

1. The little finger, the outermost and smallest finger of the hand.

   Yet see! my glad Auricular Redeems thee (though dissolv’d) a Star,[…]

   1659, Richard Lovelace, “A Fly about a Glasse of Burnt Claret”, in Lucasta posthume poems of Richard Lovelace, London: Clement Darby, page 38

   Synonyms: ear finger, fourth finger, little finger, mercurial finger, pinkie

2. humorousThe ear.

   A pound of dynamite Explodes in his auriculars It’s not a pleasant sight— We’ll spare you the particulars.

   1893, W. S. Gilbert, Arthur Sullivan, Utopia, Limited, London: Chappell & Co., act I, page 6