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Ear

Anatomy
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

The organ of hearing on either side of the head. In poetry, it can represent listening, attention, rumor, music, or intimacy.

Detailed Definition
An ear gives poetry a way to make listening visible. A whispered word at the ear can create secrecy and closeness, while an ear turned toward a distant sound can show vigilance or longing. Poets may also use the ear to consider music, memory, and the persistence of voices after someone has gone. Its curved shape and sensitivity make it suitable for delicate imagery, especially in poems where what is heard matters as much as what is seen.
Example
Example in poetry:
“The ear of the corn” can create a metaphor that connects the human ear with the listening field; “She bent her ear to the shell” makes listening an act of imaginative attention; “The old house kept an ear for footsteps” personifies a setting and builds suspense; “A bee troubled the ear of afternoon” uses ear to make sound feel physical
Additional Notes
The ear often represents receptive attention. Pair it with sound imagery, whispers, songs, or silence to explore intimacy and communication.
Also Known As
Auricle Pinna Lug oto
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