audient, a. and n.
(ˈɔːdɪənt)
[ad. L. audientem: see audience.]
A. adj. Listening, giving heed to sounds.
| 1839 Blackw. Mag. XLV. 111, I trembled..At critic grinders, and the audient yawn. 1856 Mrs. Browning Aur. Leigh vii. 849 Music, verse, For thrilling audient souls. |
B. n. A hearer or listener; spec. a hearer of the gospel, not yet a member of the church.
| 1612 Heywood Apol. Actors i. 22 Nor did the audients hold themselves disgraced Of turfe and heathy sods to make their seates. 1647 Power of Keys v. 126 Three yeares shal they continue among the Audients. 1819 Rees Encycl. III, Audients, or Auditors, in Ecclesiastical History, an order of cataechumens..not yet admitted to baptism. |