Dictionary
1ear
noun \ˈir\
Definition of EAR
1
a : the characteristic vertebrate organ of hearing and equilibrium consisting in the typical mammal of a sound-collecting outer ear separated by the tympanic membrane from a sound-transmitting middle ear that in turn is separated from a sensory inner ear by membranous fenestrae b : any of various organs (as of a fish) capable of detecting vibratory motion
2
: the external ear of humans and most mammals
3
a : the sense or act of hearing b : acuity of hearing c : sensitivity to musical tone and pitch; also : the ability to retain and reproduce music that has been heard d : sensitivity to nuances of language especially as revealed in the command of verbal melody and rhythm or in the ability to render a spoken idiom accurately
4
: something resembling a mammalian ear in shape, position, or function: as a : a projecting part (as a lug or handle) b : either of a pair of tufts of lengthened feathers on the head of some birds
6
: a space in the upper corner of the front page of a periodical (as a newspaper) usually containing advertising for the periodical itself or a weather forecast
7
: a person who listens : listener <looking for a friendly ear>
— all ears
: eagerly listening <if anybody spoke of that grisly matter, I was all ears … and alert to hear what might be said — Mark Twain>
— by ear
: without reference to or memorization of written music <plays by ear>
— in one ear and out the other
: through one's mind without making an impression <everything you say to him goes in one ear and out the other>
— on one's ear
: in or into a state of irritation, shock, or discord <set the racing world on its ear by breaking the record>
— up to one's ears
: deeply involved : heavily implicated <up to his ears in shady deals>
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Origin of EAR
Middle English ere, from Old English ēare; akin to Old High German ōra ear, Latin auris, Greek ous
First Known Use: before 12th century
Other Anatomy Terms
Rhymes with EAR
2ear
noun
Definition of EAR
: the fruiting spike of a cereal (as wheat or Indian corn) including both the seeds and protective structures
Origin of EAR
Middle English er, from Old English ēar; akin to Old High German ahir ear, Old English ecg edge — more at edge
First Known Use: before 12th century
3ear
verb
Definition of EAR
intransitive verb
: to form ears in growing <the rye should be earing up>
First Known Use of EAR
14th century
EAR Defined for Kids
1ear
noun \ˈir\
Definition of EAR for Kids
1
: the organ of hearing and balance of vertebrates that in most mammals is made up of an outer part that collects sound, a middle part that carries sound, and an inner part that receives sound and sends nerve signals to the brain
2
: the outer part of the ear <She pulled on his ear.>
3
: the sense of hearing <a good ear for music>
4
: willing or sympathetic attention <The coach had every player's ear.>
— eared \ˈird\ adjective <a long-eared dog>
2ear
noun
Definition of EAR for Kids
: the seed-bearing head of a cereal grass <an ear of corn>
Medical Dictionary
ear
noun \ˈi(ə)r\
Medical Definition of EAR
1
: the characteristic vertebrate organ of hearing and equilibrium consisting in the typical mammal of a sound-collecting outer ear separated by the tympanic membrane from a sound-transmitting middle ear that in turn is separated from a sensory inner ear by membranous fenestrae
2
a : the external ear of humans and most mammals b : a human earlobe <had her ears pierced>
3
a : the sense or act of hearing b : acuity of hearing
Learn More About EAR
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Seen & Heard
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