Collins English-English Dictionary

ear [ɪə]

1. 1. n the organ of hearing and balance in higher vertebrates and of balance only in fishes. In man and other mammals it consists of three parts - See external ear middle ear internal ear

2. 2. n earpiece a display box at the head of a newspaper page, esp the front page, for advertisements, etc

3. 3. n the outermost cartilaginous part of the ear (pinna) in mammals, esp man

4. 4. n the sense of hearing

5. 5. n sensitivity to musical sounds, poetic diction, etc

   he has an ear for music

6. 6. n attention, esp favourable attention; consideration; heed (esp in the phrases give ear to, lend an ear)

7. 7. n an object resembling the external ear in shape or position, such as a handle on a jug

8. 8. n [Etymology] Old English eare; related to Old Norse eyra, Old High German ora, Gothic auso, Greek ous, Latin auris

ear [ɪə]

1. 1. n the part of a cereal plant, such as wheat or barley, that contains the seeds, grains, or kernels

2. 2. vi. [intr] (of cereal plants) to develop such parts

3. 3. vi. [Etymology] Old English ear; related to Old High German ahar, Old Norse ax, Gothic ahs ear, Latin acus chaff, Greek akros pointed