hearken back
Synonym of hark back; also, to evoke, or long or pine for”)Synonym of hark back (“to allude, return, or revert (to a subject previously mentioned, etc.); also, to evoke, or long or pine for (a past era or event)”).
» Tom would hearken back to his childhood when he heard the birdsong.
Meaning
1 senses(proscribed, sometimes)Synonym of hark back (“to allude, return, or revert (to a subject previously mentioned, etc.); also, to evoke, or long or pine for (a past era or event)”).
Examples
1 sentencesTom would hearken back to his childhood when he heard the birdsong.
Origin
From hearken + back, possibly an erroneous substitution of hearken (“to hear (something) wFrom hearken + back, possibly an erroneous substitution of hearken (“to hear (something) with attention; to have regard to (something); to listen; to attend or give heed to what is uttered; to hear with attention, compliance, or obedience”) for hark: see the usage note.
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Forms
hearkens back, hearkening back, hearkened back, hearkened back| Base form | hearken back · to hearken back |
|---|---|
| 3rd person singular | hearkens back |
| Present participle | hearkening back |
| Past simple | hearkened back |
| Past participle | hearkened back |
irregular
Synonyms
1 synonymsLessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, regular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Phrasal verbs: introduction — Because it is a phrasal verb