attention English · revision 3428

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1374 (Chaucer)|origins=la attendere}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /əˈten.ʃən/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|attencioun]], [[bor|la|attentiō|t=attention, attentiveness]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(SOED 2002) partly through Old French [[m|fro|attencion]],^(Etymonline) a noun of action from [[m|la|attentus]], past participle of [[m|la|attendere|t=to give heed to]],^(AHD 2000)^(MWU 2024) literally “to stretch toward”, from [[m|la|ad|t=to]] and [[m|la|tendere|t=to stretch]],^(Etymonline) the source of [[attend]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Klein 1966)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Giving heed, directing the mind upon something: about 1374,^(OED 1989) or about 1380, in Chaucer's translation of Boethius.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Barnhart notes that Chaucer used it translating from Latin and that it was rare before the 17th century.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) “Observant care, notice” is from 1741,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and “civility, courtesy”, including attentions paid by a suitor, from 1752.^(Etymonline)^(HTOED) As a military word of command it is from 1792, and ''stand at attention'' from 1859.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) “The power of mental concentration” is from 1871,^(Etymonline) and ''attention span'' from 1903, earlier ''span of attention'' (1892).^(Etymonline) ''Attention-seeking'' is from 1961.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1374 – giving heed (Chaucer).^(OED 1989)

+ * 17th century – in general use.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1741 – notice, care.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1752 – courtesy, attentions.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1792 – a military command.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1871 – the power of concentration.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1903 – ''attention span''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Concentration of the mind on something; close observing or listening.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # The ability to concentrate.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # Notice, consideration: ''bring to someone's attention''.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # Care or treatment given: ''medical attention''.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # ''(often attentions)'' Acts of courtesy or of [[courtship]].^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # An upright military posture: ''stand at attention''.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ===Interjection===

+ # A command to assume an upright military posture.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[attentional]]

+ * [[overattention]]

+ * [[attention deficit disorder]]

+ * [[attention deficit hyperactivity disorder]]

+ * [[attention line]]

+ * [[attention span]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[attentive]]

+ * [[attend]]

+ * [[tend]]

+ * [[tension]]

+ * [[intention]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}