a. Obs. exc. dial. Also 4–5 -if(e, -yf, 6 -yue. [a. OF. tentif (14th c. in Godef.), aphetic form of F. atentif; or aphetic form of INTENTIVE and (in later use) ATTENTIVE.] = ATTENTIVE.

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c. 1386.  Chaucer, Melib., ¶ 149 (Harl. MS.). As to warisching of ȝoure douȝter … we schullen do so tentyf [v.r. ententif] besynes fro day to night þat … sche schal be hool.

2

a. 1400[?].  Cato’s Mor., 337, in Cursor M., p. 1673. Loke þou be tentife, if þou haue lered alle þi life.

3

1570.  Satir. Poems Reform., xxiii. 66. With tentyue eir vnto my taill attend.

4

1582.  Stanyhurst, Æneis, II. (Arb.), 43. Wyth tentiue lystning eeche wight was setled in harckning.

5

1791.  J. Learmont, Poems, 329 (E.D.D.). Nouther party’s tentive how to please.

6

1902.  R. M. Gilchrist, Natives of Milton, 97. Yo’re as ’tentive an’ as capable as onyone could be.

7

  So Tentively adv. = ATTENTIVELY; Tentiveness = ATTENTIVENESS.

8

c. 1350.  Will. Palerne, 2258. Ȝif ȝe *tentifly take kepe & trewe be to-gadere. Ibid., 5124. But tentyfli þow help, þat al þis lond be lad in lawe as it ouȝt.

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1438.  Rolls of Parlt., V. 439/1. Thei put tentiflye their hole labours and diligences for his worship.

10

1876.  Whitby Gloss., Tentifly,… with attention.

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1382.  Wyclif, Wisd. xii. 20. If forsothe the enemys of thi seruauns,… with so myche *tentifnesse, thou tormentedist, and deliueredest.

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1610.  J. Melvill, Diary (Wodrow), 556. Want of skill, tentivnes, faithfulness and guid effectioune.

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