ˈtentive, a. Obs. exc. dial.
Also 4–5 -if(e, -yf, 6 -yue.
[a. OF. tentif (14th c. in Godef.), aphetic form of F. atentif; or aphetic form of intentive and (in later use) attentive.]
= attentive.
| c 1386 Chaucer Melib. ¶149 (Harl. MS.) As to warisching of ȝoure douȝter..we schullen do so tentyf [v.r. ententif] besynes fro day to night þat..sche schal be hool. ? a 1400 Cato's Mor. 337 in Cursor M. p. 1673 Loke þou be tentife, if þou haue lered alle þi life. 1570 Satir. Poems Reform. xxiii. 66 With tentyue eir vnto my taill attend. 1582 Stanyhurst æneis ii. (Arb.) 43 Wyth tentiue lystning eeche wight was setled in harckning. 1791 J. Learmont Poems 329 (E.D.D.) Nouther party's tentive how to please. 1902 R. M. Gilchrist Natives of Milton 97 Yo're as 'tentive an' as capable as onyone could be. |
So
ˈtentively adv. = attentively;
ˈtentiveness = attentiveness.
| c 1350 Will. Palerne 2258 Ȝif ȝe *tentifly take kepe & trewe be to-gadere. Ibid. 5124 But tentyfli þow help, þat al þis lond be lad in lawe as it ouȝt. 1438 Rolls of Parlt. V. 439/1 Thei put tentiflye their hole labours and diligences for his worship. 1876 Whitby Gloss., Tentifly,..with attention. |
| 1382 Wyclif Wisd. xii. 20 If forsothe the enemys of thi seruauns,..with so myche *tentifnesse, thou tormentedist, and deliueredest. 1610 J. Melvill Diary (Wodrow) 556 Want of skill, tentivnes, faithfulness and guid effectioune. |