What does "hearken" mean?

Hearken: 2. To inquire; to seek information. [Obs.] "Hearken after their offense." Shak. See Attend, v. i.

Additional senses

  1. 2.To hear by listening. [Archaic] [She] hearkened now and then Some little whispering and soft groaning sound. Spenser.
  2. 3.To give heed to; to hear attentively. [Archaic] The King of Naples . . . hearkens my brother's suit. Shak. To hearken out, to search out. [Obs.] If you find none, you must hearken out a vein and buy. B. Johnson.

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