intentive en · ADJ
Pronunciation
- (Southern-England) audio
- /ɪnˈtɛntɪv/
Etymology
From Middle English ententif, borrowed from Old French ententif, from Late Latin intentīvus (“intensive”), from Latin intendō (“to intend, to attend”).
Meanings
-
Paying attention; attentive, heedful.
the object is fine and accurate , it conduceth much to have the sense intentive and erect
1627 (indicated as 1626), Francis [Bacon], “III. Century.”, in Sylua Syluarum: Or A Naturall Historie. In Ten Centuries. […], London: […] William Rawley […]; [p]rinted by J[ohn] H[aviland] for William Lee […], →OCLC:
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Intent (of the mind, thoughts etc.).
To which whilest she lent her intentive mind, / He suddenly his net upon her threw […]
1596, Edmund Spenser, “Book V, Canto IX”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC:
- Expressing intent.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| most intentive | Degree=Sup | lexicographic | |
| more intentive | Degree=Cmp | lexicographic | |
| ententive | alternative | lexicographic |