I. A hearing, listening (so perh. only post-Aug.; “syn.: auditio, auscultatio): ea plurium auditu accipi,” Tac. A. 4, 69: “breviauditu,” id. H. 2, 59: “auditus auris,” Vulg. 2 Reg. 22, 45; “ib. Job, 42, 5: auditu audietis (by Hebraïsm),” ib. Matt. 13, 14.—Hence, the instruction listened to (cf. audio, II. A. 2.): “quis dignior umquam Hoc fuit auditu?” Luc. 10, 183.— Also (like auditio, II.), a rumor, report: “occupaverat animos prior auditus,” Tac. H. 1, 76: “Quis credidit auditui nostro?” Vulg. Joan. 12, 38; ib. Rom. 10, 16.—
II. The sense of hearing, the hearing (class.): “auditus autem semper patet,” Cic. N. D. 2, 57, 144: num quid aliquo sensu perceptum sit, aspectu, auditu, tactu, odore, gustatu, Auct. ad Her. 2, 5: “aures acerrimi auditūs,” Plin. 8, 32, 50, § 114; 23, 4, 42, § 85: “Si totum corpus oculus, ubi auditus?” Vulg. 1 Cor. 12, 17 bis. al. —In plur.: auditus hominum deorumque mulcens, i. e. aures, App Dogm. Plat. 1.