the activity of attending, esp through application of the mind, to an object of sense or thought
Pay attention!
consideration with a view to action
She handed him the letters that required his personal attention
(usu in pl) an act of civility or courtesy, esp in courtship
sympathetic consideration of the needs and wants of others
a formal position of readiness assumed by a soldier, etc, standing with feet together and body erect
standing to attention
attentional adj
[Middle English attencioun from Latin attention-, attentio from attendere: see attend]