hark

present singular third person harks · participle present harking · participle past harked · past harked · alternative obsolete heark

1. archaicimperativeoftenTo listen attentively.

   But harke, I heare the footing of a man.

   c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i], page 182

   3 more examples

   Hark! the herald angels sing / Glory to the new born King

   1739, Charles Wesley, George Whitefield, “Hymn for Christmas-Day”, in Hymns and Sacred Poems

   "Hark! The thunder becomes less muttering. It is nearing us, and nearing the earth, too. Hark! One crammed crash! All the vibrations made one by nearness. Another flash. Hold."

   1856, Herman Melville, The Lightning Rod Man

   Loud voices and a renewed uproar were raised in front of the boarding-house[…] "'Tis Missis Murphy's voice," said Mrs. McCaskey, harking.

   1906, O. Henry, “Between Rounds”, in The Four Million

plural harks · alternative obsolete heark

1. ScotsA whisper