Definition of hearken back intransitive verb : to go back to or recall to mind something in the past : hark back —usually used with to This place caters to Americans and hearkens back to days when the town attracted famous celebrities.
What does it mean to hearken back to something?
hark (en) back to (something) 1. To cause one to think of or recall something. (The spelling "harken" is actually a variant of the archaic word "hearken," which originally meant "to listen" but is more commonly used in place of "hark" in this idiomatic phrase.)
When did the word 'harken back' become a verb?
In the early 20th century, English speakers began using "hearken back" and its variant "harken back" synonymously with the verb "hark back.". (Like "hark," "hearken" and "harken" can mean "listen.") And since the 1980s, there's been another development: "harken" can now be used alone to mean "hark back.".
What does it mean to hark back?
hark(en) back to something. 1. to have originated as something; to have started out as something. (Harken is an older word meaning "pay heed to.") The word icebox harks back to refrigerators that were cooled by ice. Our modern breakfast cereals hark back to the porridge and gruel of our ancestors.
What is the synonym of harken back?
Synonyms of harken back (to) flash back (to), hark back (to), hearken back (to), mind [chiefly dialect], recall, recollect, remember, reminisce (about), reproduce, think (of) Words Related to harken back (to) recapture, recur. educe, elicit, evoke, extract, raise, remind. relive.
Is it harken back or hearken back?
The forms harken back and hearken back have been used since the 1930s, and the bare form harken has been used since the 1980s, though some authorities frown on these and prefer the traditional form hark back. The eggcorn harp back (influenced by harp on) is occasionally found, but is generally regarded as an error.
How do you use hark back in a sentence?
1 : to return to or remember (something in the past) He always harks back to the good old days of his youth. 2 : to look or seem like (something in the past) The movie has a style that harks back to the golden age of Hollywood.
Whats the meaning of Harken?
to listen, hear, regardHarken definition (figuratively, US) To hark back, to return or revert (to a subject etc.), to allude to, to evoke, to long or pine for (a past event or era). verb. 1. Alternative spelling of hearken 'to listen, hear, regard', more common form in the US.
What is difference between Harken and hearken?
Hearken and harken also mean to listen. In fact, the three words are essentially the same, coming from the same Old English root and having an archaic tone in modern usage. But unlike hark, hearken and harken weren't used in that hunting sense, so hearken back and harken back don't work the same way.
What does the word serendipitous mean?
: the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for also : an instance of this.
What is the meaning of archaic word hearken?
to give heed to : heararchaic : to give heed to : hear.
What is a synonym for Harken?
Synonyms for harken back (to) flash back (to), hark back (to), hearken back (to), mind.
What is a synonym for hearken?
Synonyms for hearken back (to) flash back (to), hark back (to), harken back (to), mind.
How do you use hearken in a sentence?
How to use Hearken in a sentenceErza did not hearken to his appeal. ... They denied Church, Scripture, the current ministry and services, calling on men to hearken to Christ within them. ... We often hear our enemies teaching our duty to us, that will not hearken to God.More items...
Is the word hearken still used?
While hark is still used today, hearken is pretty much obsolete — unless perhaps you happen to be an old school preacher. Hearken, like hark, can also mean to look back to something in the past, though there is often a critical sense to the word.
What kind of word is hearken?
Archaic. to listen to; hear.
How do you use the word hark?
Examples of harkI do not believe in harking back to the past; what we need is a new attitude.Let us not go on harking back over the years.He is harking back to a previous age.When had finished my turn, would you believe it, that ignorant public harked back to the singer and started hissing and booing.More items...•
How do you use ineffable in a sentence?
Ineffable Sentence Examples God the Father was ineffable. Our deepest encounter with God is sometimes almost ineffable, almost inexpressible. In the latter sense it was chiefly used by the Gnostic sects to denote those eternal beings or manifestations which emanated from the one incomprehensible and ineffable God.
What does "hark back" mean?
Thus, a "hark back" was a retracing of a route by dogs and hunters, and "to hark back" was to turn back along the path. From its use in hunting, the verb soon acquired its current figurative meanings. In the early 20th century, English speakers began using "hearken back" and its variant "harken back" synonymously with the verb "hark back." (Like "hark," "hearken" and "harken" can mean "listen.") And since the 1980s, there's been another development: "harken" can now be used alone to mean "hark back."
Is "harken back" figurative or literal?
From its use in hunting, the verb soon acquired its current figurative meanings. In the early 20th century, English speakers began using "hearken back" and its variant "harken back" synonymously with the verb "hark back.". (Like "hark," "hearken" and "harken" can mean "listen.") And since the 1980s, there's been another development: "harken" can ...
What does "hark back" mean?
2. To have originated or begun as something. You know, our modern cell phones hark back to those old rotary phones you like to make fun of.
What does "harken" mean in music?
1. To cause one to think of or recall something. (The spelling "harken" is actually a variant of the archaic word "hearken," which originally meant "to listen" but is more commonly used in place of "hark" in this idiomatic phrase.) That song harkens back to an earlier time in my life.
Definition of hearken
3 : to bring to mind something in the past : hearken back Portrayals of dinosaurs with lizard-like tongues hearken to early interpretations of the beasts as oversized lizards. — Mindy Weisberger
Kids Definition of hearken
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