OVERHEAR

catch, take in, overhear

(verb) hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers; “We overheard the conversation at the next table”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Verb

overhear (third-person singular simple present overhears, present participle overhearing, simple past and past participle overheard)

(ambitransitive) To hear something that was not meant for one's ears.

Synonyms

• eavesdrop

Source: Wiktionary

O`ver*hear", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Overheard; p. pr. & vb. n. Overhearing.] Etym: [AS. oferhiéran.]

1. To hear more of (anything) than was intended to be heard; to hear by accident or artifice. Shak.

2. To hear again. ShaK.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition