at·tend / əˈtend/ • v. 1. [tr.] be present at (an event, meeting, or function): the entire sales force attended the conference. ∎  go regularly to (an educational, religious, social, or clinical institution): all children are required to attend school.2. [intr.] (attend to) deal with: he muttered that he had business to attend to. ∎  give practical help and care to; look after: the severely wounded had two medics to attend to their wounds | [tr.] each of the beds in the intensive care unit is attended by a nurse. ∎  pay attention to: Alice hadn't attended to a word of his sermon.3. [tr.] (usu. be attended) occur with or as a result of: people feared that the switch to a peacetime economy would be attended by a severe slump. ∎  escort or accompany (a member of royalty or other important personage) so as to assist them; wait on.DERIVATIVES: at·tend·er / əˈtendər/ n.

attend direct the mental or physical faculties, apply oneself to XIII; take care of, wait upon XV; †wait for, expect; be present at XVII. — OF. atendre (mod. attendre wait for) :- L. attendere, f. AT- + tendere stretch, TEND2.
So attendance XIV. — OF. atendance. attendant adj. XIV; sb. XVI. — OF. atendant. attention XIV (rare before XVI). — L. attentiō, -ōn-; cf. F. attention (XVI). attentive XIV (Sc.). — OF. atentif.