To lend an ear

To lend an ear
Lend Lend (l[e^]nd), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Lent} (l[e^]nt); p. pr. & vb. n. {Lending}.] [OE. lenen, AS. l[=ae]nan, fr. l[=ae]n loan; akin to G. lehnen to lend. See {Loan}.] 1. To allow the custody and use of, on condition of the return of the same; to grant the temporary use of; as, to lend a book; -- opposed to {borrow}. [1913 Webster]

Give me that ring. I'll lend it thee, my dear, but have no power To give it from me. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2. To allow the possession and use of, on condition of the return of an equivalent in kind; as, to lend money or some article of food. [1913 Webster]

Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase. --Levit. xxv. 37. [1913 Webster]

3. To afford; to grant or furnish in general; as, to lend assistance; to lend one's name or influence. [1913 Webster]

Cato, lend me for a while thy patience. --Addison. [1913 Webster]

Mountain lines and distant horizons lend space and largeness to his compositions. --J. A. Symonds. [1913 Webster]

4. To let for hire or compensation; as, to lend a horse or gig. [1913 Webster]

Note: This use of the word is rare in the United States, except with reference to money. [1913 Webster]

{To lend a hand}, to give assistance; to help. [Colloq.]

{To lend one's ears} or {To lend an ear}, to give attention. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • lend an ear — If you lend an ear, you listen to what someone has to say. ( Lend your ear is an alternative form.) …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • lend an ear to — lend an ear (to) phrase to listen to someone, especially someone who is upset Just lend a sympathetic ear while she tells you her problems. Thesaurus: to listensynonym Main entry: lend …   Useful english dictionary

  • lend an ear to someone — lend an ear to (someone/something) to listen carefully and with understanding to someone or something. Bush lent an ear to a group of oil executives who came to the White House. Aunt Rosalie lent a sympathetic ear to my troubles …   New idioms dictionary

  • lend an ear to something — lend an ear to (someone/something) to listen carefully and with understanding to someone or something. Bush lent an ear to a group of oil executives who came to the White House. Aunt Rosalie lent a sympathetic ear to my troubles …   New idioms dictionary

  • lend an ear to — (someone/something) to listen carefully and with understanding to someone or something. Bush lent an ear to a group of oil executives who came to the White House. Aunt Rosalie lent a sympathetic ear to my troubles …   New idioms dictionary

  • lend an ear (or one's ears) — listen sympathetically or attentively. → lend …   English new terms dictionary

  • lend an ear (to somebody) — lend an ˈear (to sb/sth) idiom to listen in a patient and sympathetic way to sb Main entry: ↑lendidiom …   Useful english dictionary

  • lend an ear (to something) — lend an ˈear (to sb/sth) idiom to listen in a patient and sympathetic way to sb Main entry: ↑lendidiom …   Useful english dictionary

  • lend an ear —    If you lend an ear, you listen to what someone has to say. ( Lend your ear is an alternative form.)   (Dorking School Dictionary)    ***    If you lend an ear to someone, you listen carefully and sympathetically.     The best person to talk to …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • lend an ear — LISTEN, pay attention, take notice, be attentive, concentrate, (pay) heed; informal be all ears; archaic hearken. → lend * * * (or one s ears) listen sympathetically or attentively the Samaritans lend their ears to those in crisis …   Useful english dictionary

  • lend\ an\ ear\ to — • give an ear to • lend an ear to v. phr. literary To listen to. Children should give an ear to their parents advice. The king lent an ear to the complaints of his people …   Словарь американских идиом

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