Attentive, a.
Etymology: [Cf. F. attentif.]
1. Heedful; intent; observant; regarding with care or attention.
Note: Attentive is applied to the senses of hearing and seeing, as, an attentive ear or eye; to the application of the mind, as in contemplation; or to the application of the mind, in every possible sense, as when a person is attentive to the words, and to the manner and matter, of a speaker at the same time.
2. Heedful of the comfort of others; courteous.
Syn. -- Heedful; intent; observant; mindful; regardful; circumspect; watchful. -- At*ten"tive*ly, adv. -- At*ten"tive*ness, n.
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists attentive only as an antonym, under abstracted.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.
Synonyms
none given