to pay attention to sounds on purpose, often so you can hear, understand, or enjoy them
Everyone sat quietly to listen to the storyteller.
I like to listen to jazz while cooking dinner.
✦ Old English “hlysnan” meaning “to pay attention by hearing.” Over centuries the initial h- sound was lost and the word evolved into Modern English “listen.”
to shine softly with reflected light, like something wet, icy, or polished.
The morning dew glistens on the green grass like tiny diamonds.
Her eyes glisten with tears as she watches the sunset.
✦ From Middle English glistnen, glistnen, frequentative of glisen (“to shine”), from Old English glīsan, glisian (“to shine, gleam, glitter”).
