attending
UK[əˈtɛndɪŋ]US[əˈtɛndɪŋ]
adj
(of a physician) having primary responsibility for a patient or being actively involved in patient care, especially in a hospital.
n
the act of being present at an event, meeting, or function; presence.
n
the act of applying one's mind to something; attention.
Morpheme Breakdown
at
tend
ing
at
to, toward, near.
tend
to stretch, strive, extend, proceed.
ing
Etymology
The word 'attending' is built upon the Latin verb 'attendere', which itself is a compound of 'ad-' (to) and 'tendere' (to stretch). The literal sense of "stretching one's mind toward" something evolved into the meanings of applying attention or being present. In English, the present participle suffix '-ing' was added, creating a form that functions as an adjective or a noun. The specialized medical use of "attending physician" reflects this core idea of directing one's professional care and responsibility toward a patient.
Analysis
Structure: at + tend + ing
- at: from Latin ad-, meaning "to, toward, near." A prefix indicating direction, addition, or intensification.
- tend: from Latin tendere, meaning "to stretch, strive, extend, proceed." A verb root.
- ing: from Old English -ende, -ing, a suffix forming present participles and verbal nouns.
Examples
The attending physician made her rounds early in the morning.
Your regular attending at class is crucial for academic success.
She gave the intricate problem her full attending.