attend

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to give heed to

   The children in the audience attended the recital quietly.

2. 2
   verb

   to work for or be a servant to

   It's been my honor to attend to Your Highness.

3. 3
   verb

   to take charge of or deal with

   I'll attend to your concerns shortly.

4. 4
   verb

   to be present at

   I don't attend Mass.

5. 5
   verb

   to accompany as a circumstance or follow as a result

   Menuhin's playing was attended by a 15-minute standing ovation

6. 6
   verb

   Senses relating to caring for or waiting on someone, or accompanying or being present.

   The fift [beadsman] had charge ſick perſons to attend, / And comfort thoſe, in point of death vvhich lay; […]

7. 7
   verb

   Senses relating to directing one's attention.

   Pyrocles minde was all thius while so fixed upon another devotion, that he no more attentively marked his friends discourse, then […] the diligent pilot in a dangerous tempest doth attend the unskilful words of a passinger: […]

8. 8
   verb

   Senses relating to waiting for something.

   Ægyptian ingenuity vvas more unſatisfied, contriving their bodies in ſvveet conſiſtences, to attend the return of their ſouls. But all vvas vanity, feeding the vvinde, and folly.

Etymology

PIE word *h₂éd From Middle English attenden, atenden (“to devote oneself (to a task, etc.); to pay attention to (something), to look after; to consider (something); to expect or look forward to (something); to intend to do (something); to help or serve (someone), attend upon; to take care of (something)”), from Old French atendre (“to await, wait for; to expect; to intend”), from Latin attendere, adtendere (“to pay attention to, attend; to direct or turn toward”), from ad- (“prefix meaning ‘to, towards’”) + tendō (“to direct one’s course; to extend, stretch; to exert, strive”). Doublet of att…