In`at*ten"tion (?), n. [Pref. in- not + attention: cf. F. inattention.] Want of attention, or failure to pay attention; disregard; heedlessness; neglect.

Novel lays attract our ravished ears;
But old, the mind inattention hears.

Syn. -- Inadvertence; heedlessness; negligence; carelessness; disregard; remissness; thoughtlessness; neglect. -- Inattention, Inadvertence. We miss seeing a thing through inadvertence when do not happen to look at it; through inattention when we give no heed to it, though directly before us. The latter is therefore the worse. Inadvertence may be an involuntary accident; inattention is culpable neglect. A versatile mind is often inadvertent; a careless or stupid one is inattentive.