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EAR

Volume 7 · 162 words · 1823 Edition

Music, denotes a kind of internal sense, whereby we perceive and judge of harmony and musical sounds. See Music.

In music we seem universally to acknowledge something like a distinct sense from the external one of hearing; and call it a good ear. And the like distinction we should, probably acknowledge in other affairs, had we got distinct names to denote these powers of perception by. Thus a greater capacity of perceiving the beauties of painting, architecture, &c. is called a fine taste.

Ear is also used to signify a long cluster of flowers or seeds, produced by certain plants; usually called by botanists spica. The flowers and seeds of wheat, rye, barley, &c. grow in ears. The same holds of the flowers of lavender, &c. We say the stem of the ear, i.e. its tube or straw; the knot of the ear; the lobes or cells wherein the grains are enclosed; the beard of the ear, &c.

Ear-Ach. See Medicine Index.