A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Listin, Lisn-, v. Also: lysn-, lesn- and lystin. [ME. (14–15th c.) listne(n, listin, -en, lystyn, also (midl.) lestne, lesten, (west midl.) lustne(n (Layamon), lustnie(n, ONorthumb. lysna, *hlysna. In Sc. only in early verse (cf. the synonymous Herkin, Harkin).]
intr. To listen, hearken, give ear; also, to hearken about. Also const. to (a person) and tr. or quasi-tr.(1) 1375 Barb. vi. 72.
To the vattir he com in hy And lisnyt full ententily Gif he oucht herd of thare cummyng Ib. ix. 685. a1400 Leg. S. xxxii. 74.
Quhen scho lesnyt had a quhile … Conuertit to the treutht scho wes 1513 Doug. iii. viii. 17.
Palynurus furth of his cowch vpsprent Lysnyng about and harknyng our alquhar Ib. v. iii. 68.
The rowaris … Abydis lysnand the takyn to behald Ib. viii. Prol. 179.(2) a1500 Rauf C. 739.
Thir lordis leuch vpon loft, and lystinit to the King(3) a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 364.
Forthi ws likis thi lair listin and leir
