[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/ear/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [E](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/e/) / ear # ear noun (ear, ears) «ear» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition and Early Modern English — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. One of the two parts on the sides of the head that you hear with. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/ear/#m1) 2. The ability to hear or notice sounds: "She has a good ear for music." [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/ear/#m2) 3. The top part of a cereal plant that holds the grains: "an ear of corn". [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/ear/#m3) ### In the lessons In science, the ear catches sound vibrations and sends signals to the brain; it also helps balance. In safety: never put things in your ears; loud noise can damage hearing. Phrases: all ears (listening), play it by ear (decide as you go), ear of corn, earache, earring. ### Examples - We hear with our ears. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/ear/#x1) - Rabbits have long ears. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/ear/#x2) - Don't put anything in your ear. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/ear/#x3) - I'm all ears — tell me! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/ear/#x4) - She has an ear for music. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/ear/#x5) - Loud noise can hurt your ears. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/ear/#x6) - We'll play it by ear. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/ear/#x7) - He ate an ear of corn. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/ear/#x8) - Then she whispered in his ear: [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/ear/#x9) ### Note Plural "ears". Your ears help you keep your balance. "Earache" is a pain in the ear. Loud music through headphones can damage hearing over time. ## In Jewish tradition Besides a body part, it also means a head of grain, as in Pharaoh's dream of the seven good and seven thin ears. "To give ear" means to listen carefully. **Interpretation.** Joseph's reading of the ears as seven years of plenty and seven of famine is a model of dream interpretation in the tradition. The Psalms teach that the God who made the ear surely hears. ### Examples - And the thin ears swallowed up the seven good ears. (Torah GEN.41.24, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/E/ear/#x1) - And the thin ears swallowed up the seven rank and full ears. (Torah GEN.41.7, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/E/ear/#x2) - And, behold, seven ears, thin and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them. (Torah GEN.41.6, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/E/ear/#x3) - Who among you will give ear to this? (Prophets ISA.42.23, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/E/ear/#x4) - He that planted the ear, shall He not hear? (Writings PSA.94.9, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/E/ear/#x5) - For the ear trieth words, as the palate tasteth food. (Writings JOB.34.3, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/E/ear/#x6) ### Note Plural "ears". Your ears help you keep your balance. "Earache" is a pain in the ear. Loud music through headphones can damage hearing over time. ## Early Modern English ### Meaning One of the two parts on the sides of the head used for hearing; "give ear" means listen. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/E/ear/#m1) ### Then and now Today "give ear" is old-fashioned and we say "listen." The first sentence uses that old phrase; the other two use the body part as we do. ### Examples - Give ear, ye heavens, and I will speak; and let the earth hear the words of my mouth. (Torah DEU.32.1, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/E/ear/#x1) - Then she whispered in his ear: (The Red Fairy Book) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/E/ear/#x2) - From thence further go and reckon what the mouth cannot express and the ear cannot hear. (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/E/ear/#x3) ### Note Today: ear; listen (for "give ear"). ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «ear» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/ear/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«ear» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/ear.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «ear» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/E/ear/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«ear» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/ear.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «ear» in the Early Modern English dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/E/ear/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«ear» in the Early Modern English dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/emode/w/ear.html) on Mova free.