Etymology : Middle English, from Old French atendre, from Latin attendere, literally, to stretch to, from ad- + tendere to stretch; more at THIN
Pronunciation : &-'tend
Function : verb
Date : 14th century
1. being present, being available; caring for, serving. attendingadj.
2. being present at meeting or event [syn: in attendance(p) ].
3. serving attendance on someone; "a ministering angel"; "the angels ministrant sang"; "the attending physician" [syn: ministering, ministrant] n 1: the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others [syn: attention] [ant: inattention] 2: the act of being present (at a meeting or event etc.) [syn: attendance] [ant: nonattendance].
4. being present at meeting or event.
5. To direct the attention to; to fix the mind upon; to give heed to; to regard.
6. To care for; to look after; to take charge of; to watch over.
7. To go or stay with, as a companion, nurse, or servant; to visit professionally, as a physician; to accompany or follow in order to do service; to escort; to wait on; to serve.
8. To be present with; to accompany; to be united or consequent to; as, a measure attended with ill effects.
9. To be present at; as, to attend church, school, a concert, a business meeting.
10. To wait for; to await; to remain, abide, or be in store for.
11. To apply the mind, or pay attention, with a view to perceive, understand, or comply; to pay regard; to heed; to listen; usually followed by to.
12. To accompany or be present or near at hand, in pursuance of duty; to be ready for service; to wait or be in waiting; often followed by on or upon. To take charge of; to look after; as, to attend to a matter of business.
13. To wait; to stay; to delay. give heed ; "The children in the audience attended the recital quietly"; "She hung on his every word"; "They attended to everything he said" take charge of or deal with; "Could you see:
about lunch?"; "I must attend to this matter"; "She took care of this business" be present at , etc.; "She attends class regularly"; "I rarely attend services at my church"; "did you go to the meeting?" to accompany as a circumstance or follow as a result; "Menuhin's playing was attended by a 15-minute standing ovation".