n. [ F. audience, L. audientia, fr. audire to hear. See Audible, a. ] 1. The act of hearing; attention to sounds. [ 1913 Webster ] Thou, therefore, give due audience, and attend. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Admittance to a hearing; a formal interview, esp. with a sovereign or the head of a government, for conference or the transaction of business. [ 1913 Webster ] According to the fair play of the world, Let me have audience: I am sent to speak. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. An auditory; an assembly of hearers. Also applied by authors to their readers. [ 1913 Webster ] Fit audience find, though few. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] He drew his audience upward to the sky. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ] Court of audience, or Audience court (Eng.), a court long since disused, belonging to the Archbishop of Canterbury; also, one belonging to the Archbishop of York. Mozley & W. -- In general (or open) audience, publicly. -- To give audience, to listen; to admit to an interview. [ 1913 Webster ]
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