'attentiveness' originates from the Latin word 'attentus,' where 'ad-' meant 'toward' and 'tendere' meant 'to stretch.'

'attentus' transformed into the Old French word 'atentif,' and eventually became the modern English word 'attentive,' from which 'attentiveness' is derived.

Initially, it meant 'to stretch one's mind toward something,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'paying close attention.'