Etymology of the English word attention
the English word
attentionderived from the Latin word
attentio (attention, application, attentiveness)
derived from the Latin word
attentus (attentive, heedful; careful)
derived from the Latin word
attendere (turn, stretch towards; apply)
derived from the Latin word
tendere (to stretch; pitch tent, encamp; pull tight; stretch, spread, extend)
derived from the Proto-Indo-European root
*ten-using the Latin prefix
ad- (to, in addition)
derived from the Latin word
ad (to; near; to; to; to; near)
derived from the Latin word
attentumderived from the Latin word
attendere (turn, stretch towards; apply)
derived from the Latin word
tendere (to stretch; pitch tent, encamp; pull tight; stretch, spread, extend)
derived from the Proto-Indo-European root
*ten-using the Latin prefix
ad- (to, in addition)
derived from the Latin word
ad (to; near; to; to; to; near)
Date
The earliest known usage of attention in English dates from the 14th century.
Derivations in English
inattentionCognates
French
attention, Italian
attenzione, Spanish
atenciónUsage
Word found in Modern English
