the act or faculty of attending, especially by directing the mind to an object.
Psychology.
a concentration of the mind on a single object or thought, especially one preferentially selected from a complex, with a view to limiting or clarifying receptivity by narrowing the range of stimuli.
a state of consciousness characterized by such concentration.
a capacity to maintain selective or sustained concentration.
observant care; consideration: Individual attention is given to each child.
civility or courtesy: attention to a guest.
notice or awareness: His deliberate cough caught the waiter's attention.
attentions,acts of courtesy or devotion indicating affection, as in courtship.
Military. an erect position with eyes to the front, arms to the sides, and heels together (often used as a command).
Origin of attention
1325–75;Middle Englishattencioun < Latinattentiōn- (stem of attentiō). See attent, -ion
Related formsat·ten·tion·al, adjectiveo·ver·at·ten·tion, noun
concentrated direction of the mind, esp to a problem or task
consideration, notice, or observationa new matter has come to our attention
detailed care or special treatmentto pay attention to one's appearance
(usually plural)an act of consideration, courtesy, or gallantry indicating affection or loveattentions given to a lover
the motionless position of formal military alertness, esp in drill when an upright position is assumed with legs and heels together, arms to the sides, head and eyes facing to the front
psycholthe act of concentrating on any one of a set of objects or thoughtsSee also selective attention
sentence substitute
the order to be alert or to adopt a position of formal military alertness
Word Origin for attention
C14: from Latin attentiō, from attendere to apply the mind to; see attend
late 14c., "giving heed," from Latin attentionem (nominative attentio) "attention, attentiveness," noun of action from past participle stem of attendere "mental heeding" (see attend). Used with a remarkable diversity of verbs (e.g. pay, gather, attract, draw, call). As a military cautionary word preparative to giving a command, it is attested from 1792.
