To hear a bird sing

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Hear \Hear\ (h[=e]r), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Heard} (h[~e]rd); p.
   pr. & vb. n. {Hearing}.] [OE. heren, AS,. hi['e]ran,
   h[=y]ran, h[=e]ran; akin to OS. h[=o]rian, OFries. hera,
   hora, D. hooren, OHG. h[=o]ren, G. h["o]ren, Icel. heyra, Sw.
   h["o]ra, Dan. hore, Goth. hausjan, and perh. to Gr.
   'akoy`ein, E. acoustic. Cf. {Hark}, {Hearken}.]
   1. To perceive by the ear; to apprehend or take cognizance of
      by the ear; as, to hear sounds; to hear a voice; to hear
      one call.
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            Lay thine ear close to the ground, and list if thou
            canst hear the tread of travelers.    --Shak.
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            He had been heard to utter an ominous growl.
                                                  --Macaulay.
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   2. To give audience or attention to; to listen to; to heed;
      to accept the doctrines or advice of; to obey; to examine;
      to try in a judicial court; as, to hear a recitation; to
      hear a class; the case will be heard to-morrow.
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   3. To attend, or be present at, as hearer or worshiper; as,
      to hear a concert; to hear Mass.
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   4. To give attention to as a teacher or judge.
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            Thy matters are good and right, but there is no man
            deputed of the king to hear thee.     --2 Sam. xv.
                                                  3.
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            I beseech your honor to hear me one single word.
                                                  --Shak.
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   5. To accede to the demand or wishes of; to listen to and
      answer favorably; to favor.
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            I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice.
                                                  --Ps. cxvi. 1.
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            They think that they shall be heard for their much
            speaking.                             --Matt. vi. 7.
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   {Hear him}. See Remark, under {Hear}, v. i.

   {To hear a bird sing}, to receive private communication.
      [Colloq.] --Shak.

   {To hear say}, to hear one say; to learn by common report; to
      receive by rumor. [Colloq.]
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