I. ˈmenchən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English mencioun, from Old French mention, from Latin mention-, mentio, from ment-, mens mind + -ion-, -io -ion — more at mind
1.
a. : the act or an instance of citing, noting, or calling attention to someone or something especially in a brief, casual, or incidental manner : reference or citation in speech or writing
his is the earliest mention of obstetric forceps — Harvey Graham
so obvious that we ought perhaps to pass it over with only a mention — H.A.Overstreet
the wealth of mention and keenness of observation — W.C.Ford
the mere mention of an … alliance at this stage is enough to dismiss the idea — Atlantic
b. : specific and usually formal citation by name (as in a military dispatch or the report of a contest jury) in recognition of outstanding achievement or work well done
his service … from 1916 to 1918 earned him a mention — Sydney (Australia) Bulletin
honorable mentions went to the authors of two magazine articles
many will receive special mentions and special awards — Celia E. Klotz
2. obsolete : indication , vestige , trace
II. verb
( mentioned ; mentioned ; mentioning -ch(ə)niŋ ; mentions )
Etymology: Middle French mentionner, from mention, n.
transitive verb
: to cite, note, or call attention to especially in a brief, casual, or incidental manner : make mention of : refer to
had not thought of it at all until she mentioned it — J.P.Marquand
mentioned as a possible choice for the post of secretary-general — Current Biography
mentions that the addition of alkyds improves the flexibility — H.J.Wolfe
specifically : to cite usually formally in recognition of outstanding achievement or work well done
mentioned in the dispatches — Current Biography
intransitive verb
obsolete : to make mention : speak — usually used with of
Synonyms:
name , instance , specify : mention indicates a calling attention to, usually by name where possible, sometimes by a brief, cursory, or incidental reference
I shall mention the accident which directed my curiosity originally into this channel — Charles Lamb
intellectuals are such puritanical devils that they usually recoil with horror when prayer is mentioned — E.M.Forster
usually the class is not directly mentioned in our statement; but there must be an implicit understanding, since otherwise the probability would be indeterminate — A.S.Eddington
mentioning several minor figures in his lecture on Shakespeare
name implies clear mention of a name and therefore may suggest greater explicitness
naming Doe and Roe in the report and implicating their associates
instance may indicate clear explicit reference or definite emphasis as a typical example or special case
examples can be instanced from the first to the twentieth century — K.S.Latourette
is it unfair to instance Marlowe, who died young — A.T.Quiller-Couch
I have instanced his book because it was flagrant, not unique — Margaret Leech
specify indicates statement explicit, detailed, and specific so that misunderstanding is impossible
the standards specify the names under which these five varieties must be sold — Americana Annual
as changes emerge from the storm of civil commotion, it is often just as hard to specify the exact day on which a government is born or dies — P.C.Jessup