Verb

(en verb)

(lb) To pay attention to a sound or speech.

:

*{{quote-book, year=1922, author=(Ben Travers), title=(A Cuckoo in the Nest)

, chapter=1 citation , passage=He read the letter aloud. Sophia listened with the studied air of one for whom, even in these days, a title possessed some surreptitious allurement.}}

(lb) To expect or wait for a sound, such as a signal.

:

*

*:It was April 22, 1831, and a young man was walking down Whitehall in the direction of Parliament Street.. He halted opposite the Privy Gardens, and, with his face turned skywards, listened until the sound of the Tower guns smote again on the ear and dispelled his doubts.

*

*:He reined Wrangle to a walk, halted now and then to listen , and then proceeded cautiously with shifting and alert gaze.

(lb) To accept advice or obey instruction; to agree or assent.

:

*

*:Never listen when they tell you that Man and the animals have a common interest.

To hear (something or someone), to pay attention to.

*1485 , Sir (Thomas Malory), (w, Le Morte d'Arthur) , Book XX:

*:‘But, sir, lyars ye have lystened , and that hath caused grete debate betwyxte you and me.’

*1592 , (William Shakespeare), : v 3

*:Lady, vouchsafe to listen what I say.

Verb

(observ)

(lb) To notice or view, especially carefully or with attention to detail.

:

*1892 , (Arthur Conan Doyle),

*:“One horse?” interjected Holmes. ¶ “Yes, only one.” ¶ “Did you observe the colour?”

*{{quote-magazine, date=2013-03, author=Frank Fish, George Lauder

, volume=101, issue=2, page=114, magazine=(American Scientist) , title= Not Just Going with the Flow , passage=An extreme version of vorticity is a vortex . The vortex is a spinning, cyclonic mass of fluid, which can be observed in the rotation of water going down a drain, as well as in smoke rings, tornados and hurricanes.}}

(lb) To follow or obey the custom, practice, or rules (especially of a religion).

:

*Bible, (w)

*:Ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread.

*{{quote-news, year=2011, date=November 10, author=Jeremy Wilson, work=Telegraph

, title= England Under 21 5 Iceland Under 21 0: match report , passage=A sell-out crowd of 10,000 then observed perfectly a period of silence before the team revealed their black armbands, complete with stitched-in poppies, for the match. After Fifa’s about-turn, it must have been a frantic few days for the England kit manufacturer. The on-field challenge was altogether more straightforward. }}

(lb) To comment on something; to make an observation.

:

*

*:Elbows almost touching they leaned at ease, idly reading the almost obliterated lines engraved there. ¶ ("I never) understood it," she observed , lightly scornful. "What occult meaning has a sun-dial for the spooney? I'm sure I don't want to read riddles in a strange gentleman's optics."