Word Study
attention
CIDE DICTIONARY
attention, n. [L. attentio: cf. F. attention.].
- The act or state of attending or heeding; the application of the mind to any object of sense, representation, or thought; notice; exclusive or special consideration; earnest consideration, thought, or regard; obedient or affectionate heed; the supposed power or faculty of attending. [1913 Webster]" Attention is consciousness and something more. It is consciousness voluntarily applied, under its law of limitations, to some determinate object; it is consciousness concentrated." Sir W. Hamilton. [1913 Webster]"They say the tongues of dying men
Enforce attention like deep harmony." [1913 Webster] - An act of civility or courtesy; care for the comfort and pleasure of others; as, attentions paid to a stranger. [1913 Webster]
Syn. -- Care; heed; study; consideration; application; advertence; respect; regard.
OXFORD DICTIONARY
attention, n. & int.
--n.
1 the act or faculty of applying one's mind (give me your attention; attract his attention).
2 a consideration (give attention to the problem). b care (give special attention to your handwriting).
3 (in pl.) a ceremonious politeness (he paid his attentions to her). b wooing, courting (she was the subject of his attentions).
4 Mil. an erect attitude of readiness (stand at attention).
--int. (in full stand at attention!) an order to assume an attitude of attention.
--n.
1 the act or faculty of applying one's mind (give me your attention; attract his attention).
2 a consideration (give attention to the problem). b care (give special attention to your handwriting).
3 (in pl.) a ceremonious politeness (he paid his attentions to her). b wooing, courting (she was the subject of his attentions).
4 Mil. an erect attitude of readiness (stand at attention).
--int. (in full stand at attention!) an order to assume an attitude of attention.
Etymology
ME f. L attentio (as ATTEND, -ION)
THESAURUS
attention
NB, TLC, absorption, acclaim, act of courtesy, acuity, acuteness, agility, alertness, amenity, anticipation, application, assiduity, attentions, attentiveness, audibility, audience, audition, aural examination, aural sense, auscultation, awareness, benignity, brightness, bugging, care, carefulness, caution, circumspection, circumspectness, civility, cognizance, concentration, concern, conference, consciousness, considerateness, consideration, courtesy, debate, deference, deliberation, devoirs, diligence, distinction, duties, eager attention, ear, eavesdropping, egards, electronic surveillance, engrossment, examination by ear, favor, favorable attention, forethought, gallantry, graceful gesture, hearing, heed, heedfulness, heeding, homage, honor, hushed attention, immersion, industry, intentness, interview, keenness, kindliness, limelight, listening, listening in, loving care, mark, mind, mindfulness, nimbleness, note, notice, notoriety, observance, observation, polite act, preparedness, prominence, promptitude, promptness, publicity, punctuality, quickness, rapt attention, readiness, regard, regardfulness, regards, remark, respects, reverence, sedulity, sedulousness, sense of hearing, sensibility, sharpness, sleeplessness, smartness, solicitude, study, tender loving care, thoughtfulness, tryout, urbanity, wakefulness, wiretappingROGET THESAURUS
attention
Respect
N respect, regard, consideration, courtesy, attention, deference, reverence, honor, esteem, estimation, veneration, admiration, approbation, homage, fealty, obeisance, genuflection, kneeling prostration, obsequiousness, salaam, kowtow, bow, presenting arms, salute, respects, regards, duty, devoirs, egards, devotion, respecting, respectful, deferential, decorous, reverential, obsequious, ceremonious, bareheaded, cap in hand, on one's knees, prostrate, respected, in high esteem, in high estimation, time-honored, venerable, emeritus, in deference to, with all respect, with all due respect, with due respect, with the highest respect, with submission, saving your grace, saving your presence, salva sit reverentia, pace tanti nominis, Int, hail!, all hail!, esto perpetua!, may your shadow never be less!, and pluck up drowned honor by the locks, his honor rooted in dishonor stood, honor pricks me on.Attention
N attention, mindfulness, presence of mind, intentness, intentiveness, alertness, thought, advertence, advertency, observance, observation, consideration, reflection, perpension, heed, heedfulness, particularity, notice, regard, circumspection, diligence, study, scrutiny inspection, introspection, revision, revisal, active application, diligent application, exclusive application, minute application, close application, intense application, deep application, profound application, abstract application, labored application, deliberate application, active attention, diligent attention, exclusive attention, minute attention, close attention, intense attention, deep attention, profound attention, abstract attention, labored attention, deliberate attention, active thought, diligent thought, exclusive thought, minute thought, close thought, intense thought, deep thought, profound thought, abstract thought, labored thought, deliberate thought, active study, diligent study, exclusive study, minute study, close study, intense study, deep study, profound study, abstract study, labored study, deliberate study, minuteness, attention to detail, absorption of mind, indication, calling attention to, attentive, mindful, observant, regardful, alive to, awake to, observing, alert, open-eyed, intent on, taken up with, occupied with, engaged in, engrossed in, wrapped in, absorbed, rapt, transfixed, riveted, mesmerized, hypnotized, glued to (the TV, the window, a book), breathless, preoccupied, watchful, breathless, undistracted, upon the stretch, on the watch, steadfast, interesting, engrossing, mesmerizing, riveting, Int, see!, look, look here, look you, look to it!, mark!, lo!, behold!, soho!, hark, hark ye!, mind!, halloo!, observe!, lo and behold!, attention!, nota bene, N, B, note well, I'd have you to know, notice!, O yes!, Oyez!, dekko!, ecco!, yoho!, this is to give notice, these are to give notice, dictum sapienti sat est, a word to the wise is sufficient, finem respice, Attention! Now hear this! Oyez!, Achtung, vnimanie, chui.Care
N care, solicitude, heed, heedfulness, scruple, watchfulness, vigilance, surveillance, eyes of Argus, watch, vigil, look out, watch and ward, loeil du maitre, alertness, attention, prudence &c, circumspection, anxiety, forethought, precaution, tidiness accuracy, minuteness, attention to detail, careful regardful, heedful, taking care, particular, prudent, considerate, thoughtful, provident, alert, sure-footed, guarded, on one's guard, on the qui vivre, on the alert, on watch, on the lookout, awake, broad awake, vigilant, watchful, wakeful, wistful, Argus-eyed, wide awake, on the watch for (expectant), tidy accurate, scrupulous, cavendo tutus, carefully, with care, gingerly, quis custodiet istos custodes?, who will watch the watchers?, care will kill a cat, ni bebas agua que no veas, O polished perturbation! Golden care!, the incessant care and labor of his mind.For further exploring for "attention" in Webster Dictionary Online