ear

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
ear1

▶noun

• 1 the organ of hearing and balance in humans and other vertebrates, especially the external part of this.

  ■ (in other animals) an organ sensitive to sound.

• 2 an ability to recognize and appreciate sounds: an ear for music.

• 3 willingness to listen and pay attention: a sympathetic ear.

– phrases
be all ears informal be listening attentively.
one's ears are burning one is subconsciously aware of being talked about.
have someone's ear have access to and influence with someone.
have (or keep) an ear to the ground be well informed about events and trends.
be out on one's ear informal be dismissed ignominiously.
up to one's ears in informal very busy with.

– derivatives
eared adjective,
earless adjective.

– origin OE ēare, of Gmc origin.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
ear2

▶noun the seed-bearing head or spike of a cereal plant.

– origin OE ēar, of Gmc origin.