Attent

/əˈtɛnt/ adjective

Definition

Attentive; paying close attention; intent on something.

Etymology

From Latin 'attentus' (stretched toward, attentive), past participle of 'attendere' (to stretch toward). This archaic English adjective directly borrowed the Latin form.

Kelly Says

Shakespeare used 'attent' in Hamlet ('the attent'st ear')—it's wonderfully economical, doing in one syllable what 'attentive' needs three for, yet it sounds almost alien to modern ears.

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