Past tense of 'hark': listened attentively to something, or turned one's attention to hearing.
From Old English heorcnian, meaning 'to listen,' with roots in Germanic languages. The word originally meant to turn one's ear toward something, and the past tense simply marks completed action.
'Hark!' as in 'Hark! The herald angels sing' is practically frozen in Christmas carols—we never say 'hark' in casual speech, which is why the past tense feels almost archaeological.
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