'attention' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'attentio', where 'ad-' meant 'toward' and 'tendere' (or its stem) meant 'to stretch' or 'to extend'.

'attention' changed from Old French 'attencion' and Middle English forms such as 'attencioun' and eventually became the modern English word 'attention'.

Initially related to the idea of 'stretching toward' or 'turning toward' something; over time it came to mean 'mental focus, notice' and also 'careful service or consideration' in social contexts.