Middle English Dictionary Entry
herkening(e ger.
Entry Info
| Forms | herkening(e ger. Also harkening, hercnung(e. |
| Etymology | OE; cp. WS heorcnung. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) The act of listening with close attention; (b) the act or function of hearing; (c) ?search for information, inquiry.
Associated quotations
a
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)55/25 : Hald wið innen þin hercnunge, þi speche, ant ti sihðe.
- a1425 LFMass Bk.(Cmb Gg.5.31)28 : Wether þe prest say or synge, To hym þou gyf gude herkynnyng.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)3.pr.1.4 : Whan the swetnesse of here dite hadde thurw-perced me, that was desyrous of herknynge, and I astoned hadde yit streyght myn eres.
- ?c1450 Knt.Tour-L.(Hrl 1764)55/26 : She shulde not..haue herkened to her speche..Her lewde aqueintaunce and herkenynge dede harme.
- ?c1450 Knt.Tour-L.(Hrl 1764)57/1 : For her herkeninge they yeue hem corage to speke to hem further.
- (c1456) Pecock Faith (Trin-C B.14.45)111 : In this bifore spokun attendaunce, herkenyng, and heering, in conversacioun taking with peple of dyverse stidis.
- a1486 Ordin.Lists in RS 55.1 (Lnsd 285)323 : That he have gode harkenyng and sight unto them, yif owthir speke to oothir.
b
- a1225(OE) Vsp.A.Hom.Init.Creat.(Vsp A.22)229 : Dumben he forgeaf getocnisse and deafum hercnunge.
- a1500(?a1425) Lambeth SSecr.(Lamb 501)97/24 : Þe sensibilitez of þe Eres er harkenyng of souns.
c
- 1790(1471-1472) Ordin.Househ.Edw.IV(2) (Topham)53 : The Steward of houshold moste specially owith to have herkenyng uppon this clerkes demeanyng in the countries.