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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

at·ten·tion       (ə-těn'shən)  Pronunciation Key  n.   Concentration of the mental powers upon an object; a close or careful observing or listening. The ability or power to concentrate mentally. Observant consideration; notice: Your suggestion has come to our attention. Consideration or courtesy: attention to others' feelings. attentions Acts of courtesy, consideration, or gallantry, especially by a suitor. A military posture, with the body erect, eyes to the front, arms at the sides, and heels together. interj.   Used as a command to assume an erect military posture. [Middle English attencioun, from Latin attentiō, attentiōn-, from attentus, past participle of attendere, to heed; see attend.] at·ten'tion·al adj.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

attention
noun
1.	the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others [ant: inattention]
2.	the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something; "no medical care was required"; "the old car needs constant attention" [syn: care]
3.	a general interest that leads people to want to know more; "She was the center of attention"
4.	a courteous act indicating affection; "she tried to win his heart with her many attentions"
5.	the faculty or power of mental concentration; "keeping track of all the details requires your complete attention"
6.	a motionless erect stance with arms at the sides and feet together; assumed by military personnel during drill or review; "the troops stood at attention"

Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: at·ten·tion
Pronunciation: &-'ten-ch&n
Function: noun
1 : the act or state of attending : the applicationof the mind to any object of sense or thought
2 a : an organismic condition of selective awareness or perceptual receptivity; specifically : the complex ofneuromuscular adjustments that permit maximum excitability or responsiveness to a given class of stimuli b : the process of focusing consciousness to produce greater vividness andclarity of certain of its contents relative to others —at·ten·tion·al /-'tench-n&l, -'ten-ch&n-^&l/ adjective

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Attention

At*ten"tion\, n. [L. attentio: cf. F. attention.]

1. 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.

They say the tongues of dying men Enforce attention like deep harmony. --Shak.

Note: 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.

2. An act of civility or courtesy; care for the comfort and pleasure of others; as, attentions paid to a stranger.

To pay attention to, To pay one's attentions to, to be courteous or attentive to; to wait upon as a lover; to court.

Syn: Care; heed; study; consideration; application; advertence; respect; regard.

On-line Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

attention

attention: in CancerWEB's On-line Medical Dictionary