late 14c., "heedful, observant" (implied in attentively), from Old French atentif "expectant, hopeful," from past-participle stem of Latin attendere "give heed to" (see attend). Sense of "actively ministering to the needs and wants" (of another person) is from early 16c.
an attentive suitor
attentive to details
the nurse was attentive to her patient
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attention deficit disorder
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