[ad. L. attentus, pa. pple. of attendĕre to ATTEND; cf. It. attento, and OF. attentement.] Earnestly or eagerly directed towards the perception of anything: said of the eyes, ears, mind, or whole man; intent, attentive, full of attention (to, upon).
1482. Monk of Evesham (Arb.), 25. For al degreys and condycyons of alle crystyn pepulle, and more attente for hys enmyes … he made meruailous prayers.
1534. More, On the Passion, Wks. 1346/1. Thoughte vppon with a myndefull and attent mynde.
1535. Coverdale, 2 Chron. vii. 15. Myne eares shal be attente vnto prayer in this place.
1651. Hobbes, Leviath., I. ii. 6. Long and vehemently attent upon Geometricall Figures.
1699. Dryden, Wife’s T., 310. As judges on the bench more gracious are, And more attent to brothers of the bar.
1867. Bushnell, Mor. Uses Dark Th., 132. To be alive and thoroughly attent to evils about our path.
