Webster's English Dictionary

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attention

at.ten.tion \*-'ten-ch*n\ \-'tench-n*l, -'ten-ch*n-*l\ n [ME attencioun, 
   fr. L attention-, attentio, fr. attentusX, pp. of attendere 1a: the act or 
   state of attending esp. through applying the mind to an object of sense or 
   thought 1b: a condition of readiness for such attention involving esp. a 
   selective narrowing or focusing of consciousness and receptivity 2: 
   OBSERVATION, NOTICE; esp : consideration with a view  to action 3a: an act 
   of civility or courtesy esp. in courtship  3b: ATTENTIVENESS  4: a position 
   assumed by a soldier with heels together, body erect, arms at  the sides, 
   and eyes to the front - often used as a command - at.ten.tion.al aj