note

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
note/nəʊt/

▶noun

• 1 a brief written record of facts, topics, or thoughts, used as an aid to memory.

  ■ an annotation.

• 2 a short informal written message.

  ■ a short official document of certification.

  ■ an official letter sent from the representative of one government to another.

• 3 Brit. a banknote.

  ■ a written promise or notice of payment of various kinds.

• 4 a single tone of definite pitch made by a musical instrument or the human voice.

  ■ a written sign representing the pitch and duration of such a sound.

  ■ a key of a piano or similar instrument.

• 5 a bird's song or call, or a single tone in this.

• 6 a particular quality or tone expressing a mood or attitude: there was a note of scorn in her voice.

• 7 any of the basic components of a fragrance or flavour.

▶verb

• 1 pay attention to.

• 2 record in writing.

– phrases
hit (or strike) the right (or wrong) note say or do something in the right (or wrong) way.
of note important.
strike (or sound) a note of express (a particular feeling or view).
take note pay attention.

– origin ME: from OFr. note (n.), noter (v.), from L. nota ‘a mark’, notare ‘to mark’.