at-ten-shun
English
Alternative forms
- a-ten-shun
Etymology
Eye dialect spelling of attention.
Interjection
at-ten-shun
- (US, military) Used to bring a marching band or group of soldiers to attention.
- 1906, Joseph Edgar Crowell, The Young Volunteer: The Everyday Experiences of a Soldier Boy in the Civil War:
- "At-ten-shun !" commanded he, with that peculiar inflexion only attainable after considerable service.
- 2003, “Family Fare”, in The New York Times:
- At-ten-SHUN! ¶ The United States Marine Corps wants your children.
Related terms
- ten-shun
- ten-hut