1. ear(n = noun.body) - the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium;
is a kind of receptor, sense organ, sensory receptor
is a part of auditory system, vestibular apparatus, vestibular system, caput, head
has parts: vestibule of the ear, eardrum, myringa, tympanic membrane, tympanum, organ of hearing, fenestra, arteria auricularis, auricular artery
2. ear(n = noun.cognition) - good hearing; "he had a keen ear"; "a good ear for pitch"
is a kind of audition, auditory modality, auditory sense, hearing, sense of hearing
3. ear(n = noun.body) auricle, pinna - the externally visible cartilaginous structure of the external ear;
is a kind of cartilaginous structure
is a part of external ear, outer ear
has parts: ear lobe, earlobe, tragus
has particulars: cauliflower ear
4. ear(n = noun.cognition) - attention to what is said; "he tried to get her ear"
is a kind of attending, attention
5. ear(n = noun.plant) capitulum, spike - fruiting spike of a cereal plant especially corn;
is a kind of fruit
is a part of corn, indian corn, maize, zea mays
has particulars: mealie
1. The organ of hearing; the external ear. [1913 Webster]
" In man and the higher vertebrates, the organ of hearing is very complicated, and is divisible into three parts: the external ear, which includes the
2. The sense of hearing; the perception of sounds; the power of discriminating between different tones; as, a nice ear for music; -- in the singular only. [1913 Webster]
"Songs . . . not all ungrateful to thine ear." [1913 Webster]
3. That which resembles in shape or position the ear of an animal; any prominence or projection on an object, -- usually one for support or attachment; a lug; a handle; as, the ears of a tub, a skillet, or dish. The ears of a boat are outside kneepieces near the bow. See Illust. of Bell. [1913 Webster]
4. Same as Acroterium. [1913 Webster]
5. Privilege of being kindly heard; favor; attention. [1913 Webster]
"Dionysius . . . would give no ear to his suit." [1913 Webster]
"Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears." [1913 Webster]
To take in with the ears; to hear. Two Noble Kinsmen. [1913 Webster]
The spike or head of any cereal (as, wheat, rye, barley, Indian corn, etc.), containing the kernels. [1913 Webster]
"First the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear." [1913 Webster]
To put forth ears in growing; to form ears, as grain; as, this corn ears well. [1913 Webster]
To plow or till; to cultivate. Shak. [1913 Webster]
ear, n.
1 a the organ of hearing and balance in man and vertebrates, esp. the external part of this. b an organ sensitive to sound in other animals.
2 the faculty for discriminating sounds (an ear for music).
3 an ear-shaped thing, esp. the handle of a jug.
4 listening, attention.
Idiom:
all ears listening attentively. bring about one's ears bring down upon oneself. ear-drops 1 medicinal drops for the ear.
2 hanging earrings. ear lobe the lower soft pendulous external part of the ear. ear-piercing loud and shrill. ear-splitting excessively loud. ear-trumpet a trumpet-shaped device formerly used as a hearing-aid. give ear to listen to. have a person's ear receive a favourable hearing. have (or keep) an ear to the ground be alert to rumours or the trend of opinion. in one ear and out the other heard but disregarded or quickly forgotten. out on one's ear dismissed ignominiously. up to one's ears (often foll. by in) colloq. deeply involved or occupied.
Derivative:
eared adj. (also in comb.). earless adj.
ear, n. the seed-bearing head of a cereal plant.
Etymology:
OE ear f. Gmc
N hearing, audition, auscultation, eavesdropping, audibility, acute ear, nice ear, delicate ear, quick ear, sharp ear, correct ear, musical ear, ear for music, ear, auricle, lug, acoustic organs, auditory apparatus, eardrum, tympanum, tympanic membrane, ear trumpet, speaking trumpet, hearing aid, stethoscope, earshot, hearing distance, hearing, hearing range, sound, carrying distance, telephone, phone, telephone booth, intercom, house phone, radiotelephone, radiophone, wireless, wireless telephone, mobile telephone, car radio, police radio, two-way radio, walkie-talkie, handie-talkie, citizen's band, CB, amateur radio, ham radio, short-wave radio, police band, ship-to-shore radio, airplane radio, control tower communication, (communication), electronic devices, phonograph, gramophone, megaphone, phonorganon, microphone, directional microphone, mike, hand mike, lapel microphone, phonograph needle, stylus, diamond stylus, pickup, reading head (electronic devices), hearer, auditor, listener, eavesdropper, listener-in, auditory, audience, otology, otorhinolaryngology, otologist, otorhinolaryngologist, hearing, auditory, auricular, acoustic, phonic, arrectis auribus, Int, hark, hark ye!, hear!, list, listen!, O yes!, Oyez!, listen up, listen here!, hear ye!, attention!, achtung.
bear's ear, cauliflower ear, ear canal, ear doctor, ear fungus, ear hole, ear lobe, ear piercing, ear specialist, ear splitting, ear trumpet, elephant ear, elephant's ear, external ear, give ear, in one ear, inner ear, internal ear, lion's ear, midas's ear, middle ear, mouse ear, outer ear, play by ear, play it by ear, tin ear, to one ear, vestibule of the ear