Origin: Latin suffix -tion
Mention has 8 different meanings across 2 categories:
a short note recognizing a source of information or of a quoted passage
"the student's essay failed to list several important citations"
"the acknowledgments are usually printed at the front of a book"
"the article includes mention of similar clinical cases"
an official recognition of merit
"although he didn't win the prize he did get special mention"
A speaking or notice of anything, usually in a brief or cursory manner. Used especially in the phrase make mention of.
"The lawyer made mention of the client's prior record during the opening statement but did not elaborate on the details."
In plain English: A mention is a brief reference to something or someone that brings them up in conversation.
"He did not want to bring up the painful subject, so he made no mention of his past failures."
Usage: The noun mention refers to a brief reference or allusion to something, often used in phrases like "make no mention of" to indicate that something was not brought up at all. Use it to describe a short spoken or written notice rather than a detailed discussion.
To make a short reference to something.
"She didn't want to dwell on the mistake, so she briefly mentioned it before moving on to our next project."
In plain English: To mention something is to say it briefly or bring it up in conversation.
"She mentioned that she would be late to the meeting."
Usage: Use "mention" when you briefly refer to or speak about something without going into detail. It implies that the topic receives only a passing notice rather than full attention.
The word entered English via the Old French mention, derived from the Latin mentiōnem. Originally meaning "a calling to mind," it retained this sense as it traveled through Middle English into modern usage.