Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Listen \Lis"ten\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Listened}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Listening}.] [OE. listnen, listen, lustnen, lusten, AS.
   hlystan; akin to hlyst hearing, OS. hlust, Icel. hlusta to
   listen, hlust ear, AS. hlosnian to wait in suspense, OHG.
   hlos[=e]n to listen, Gr. ?, and E. loud. [root]41. See
   {Loud}, and cf. {List} to listen.]
   1. To give close attention with the purpose of hearing; to
      give ear; to hearken; to attend.

            When we have occasion to listen, and give a more
            particular attention to same sound, the tympanum is
            drawn to a more than ordinary tension. --Holder.

   2. To give heed; to yield to advice; to follow admonition; to
      obey.

            Listen to me, and by me be ruled.     --Tennyson.

   {To listen after}, to take an interest in. [Obs.]

            Soldiers note forts, armories, and magazines;
            scholars listen after libraries, disputations, and
            professors.                           --Fuller.

   Syn: To attend; hearken. See {Attend}.

Source : WordNet®

listening
     adj : attending to or alert for sound; "be wary of listening
           ears"; "government-maintained listening posts"
     n : the act of hearing attentively; "you can learn a lot by just
         listening"; "they make good music--you should give them a
         hearing" [syn: {hearing}]