hearken
verb (used without object)
to give heed or attention to what is said; listen.
were hearkening
-
past progressiveof hearken.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Rachel listened entranced, as if she were hearkening to a fairy tale.
From Further Chronicles of Avonlea by L. M. (Lucy Maud) Montgomery
And presently collapsing, the tent covered with a moist mantle those who were hearkening to the history of Mary of Egypt.
From The Legend of Ulenspiegel, Volume I (of 2) And Lamme Goedzak, and their Adventures Heroical, Joyous and Glorious in the Land of Flanders and Elsewhere by Charles Th?odore Henri de Coster
There was an intent, listening look upon their faces, as if they were hearkening to the roar of the battle a thousand miles away.
From An Echo Of Antietam 1898 by Edward Bellamy
They stopped talking when she came in; or rather, I should say, stopped listening, for Sally Leadbitter was the talker to whom they were hearkening with deepest attention.
From Mary Barton by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell
