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6 dictionary results for: Observe

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

ob·serve

[uh

b-zurv] Pronunciation Key verb, -served, -serv·ing.

–verb (used with object)

1.	to see, watch, perceive, or notice: He observed the passersby in the street.

2.	to regard with attention, esp. so as to see or learn something: I want you to observe her reaction to the judge's question.

3.	to watch, view, or note for a scientific, official, or other special purpose: to observe an eclipse.

4.	to state by way of comment; remark: He observed frequently that clerks were not as courteous as they used to be.

5.	to keep or maintain in one's action, conduct, etc.: You must observe quiet.

6.	to obey, comply with, or conform to: to observe laws.

7.	to show regard for by some appropriate procedure, ceremony, etc.: to observe Palm Sunday.

8.	to perform duly or solemnize (ceremonies, rites, etc.).

9.	to note or inspect closely for an omen or sign of future events.

–verb (used without object)

10.	to notice.

11.	to act as an observer.

12.	to remark or comment (usually fol. by on or upon).

[Origin: 1350–1400; ME observen < MF observer < L observāre to watch, regard, attend to, equiv. to ob- ob- + servāre to keep, save, pay heed to

]

—Related forms

ob·serv·ed·ly

[uh

b-zur-vid-lee] Pronunciation Key, adverb

ob·serv·ing·ly, adverb

—Synonyms 2. note. Observe, witness imply paying strict attention to what one sees or perceives. Both are “continuative” in action. To observe is to mark or be attentive to something seen, heard, etc.; to consider carefully; to watch steadily: to observe the behavior of birds, a person's pronunciation. To witness, formerly to be present when something was happening, has added the idea of having observed with sufficient care to be able to give an account as evidence: to witness an accident. 4. mention, say. 6. follow, fulfill. 7. celebrate, keep.

—Antonyms 1–3, 6–8. ignore.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

ob·serve   (əb-zûrv') Pronunciation Key
v.   ob·served, ob·serv·ing, ob·serves

v.   tr.

To be or become aware of, especially through careful and directed attention; notice.
To watch attentively: observe a child's behavior.
To make a systematic or scientific observation of: observe the orbit of the moon.
To say casually; remark.
To adhere to or abide by: observe the terms of a contract.
To keep or celebrate (a holiday, for example): observe an anniversary.

v. intr.

To take notice.
To say something; make a comment or remark.
To watch or be present without participating actively: We were invited to the conference solely to observe.

[Middle English observen, to conform to, from Old French observer, from Latin observāre, to abide by, watch : ob-, over; see ob- + servāre, to keep, watch; see ser-¹ in Indo-European roots.]

ob·serv'ing·ly adv.

Synonyms: These verbs mean to give proper heed to or show proper reverence for something, such as a rule, custom, or holiday. Observe stresses compliance or respectful adherence to that which is prescribed: observe the speed limit; observe the Sabbath.
Keep implies actions such as the discharge of a duty or the fulfillment of a promise: keep one's word; keep personal commitments.
Celebrate emphasizes observance in the form of rejoicing or festivity: a surprise party to celebrate her birthday.
To commemorate is to honor the memory of a past event: a ceremony that commemorated the career of a physician. Solemnize implies dignity and gravity in the celebration of an occasion: solemnized the funeral with a 21-gun salute. See Also Synonyms at see¹.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
observe

c.1386, "to hold to" (a manner of life or course of conduct), from O.Fr. observer, from L. observare "watch over, look to, attend to, guard," from ob "over" + servare "to watch, keep safe," from PIE base *ser- "to protect." Meaning "to attend to in practice, to keep, follow" is attested from 1390. Sense of "watch, perceive, notice" is c.1560, via notion of "see and note omens." Meaning "to say by way of remark" is from 1605.

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

observe
verb
1.	discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of; "She detected high levels of lead in her drinking water"; "We found traces of lead in the paint" [syn: detect]
2.	make mention of; "She observed that his presentation took up too much time"; "They noted that it was a fine day to go sailing" [syn: note]
3.	observe with care or pay close attention to; "Take note of this chemical reaction" [syn: note]
4.	watch attentively; "Please observe the reaction of these two chemicals"
5.	show respect towards; "honor your parents!" [syn: respect] [ant: disrespect]
6.	behave as expected during of holidays or rites; "Keep the commandments"; "celebrate Christmas"; "Observe Yom Kippur"
7.	follow with the eyes or the mind; "Keep an eye on the baby, please!"; "The world is watching Sarajevo"; "She followed the men with the binoculars" [syn: watch]
8.	stick to correctly or closely; "The pianist kept time with the metronome"; "keep count"; "I cannot keep track of all my employees"
9.	conform one's action or practice to; "keep appointments"; "she never keeps her promises"; "We kept to the original conditions of the contract" [ant: breach]

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Observe

Ob*serve"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Observed; p. pr. & vb. n. Observing.] [L. observare, observatum; ob (see Ob-) + servare to save, preserve, keep, heed, observe: cf.F. observer. See Serve.]

1. To take notice of by appropriate conduct; to conform one's action or practice to; to keep; to heed; to obey; to comply with; as, to observe rules or commands; to observe civility.

Ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread. --Ex. xii. 17.

He wolde no such cursedness observe. --Chaucer.

Must I budge? Must I observe you? --Shak.

With solemn purpose to observe Immutably his sovereign will. --Milton.

2. To be on the watch respecting; to pay attention to; to notice with care; to see; to perceive; to discover; as, to observe an eclipse; to observe the color or fashion of a dress; to observe the movements of an army.

3. To express as what has been noticed; to utter as a remark; to say in a casual or incidental way; to remark.

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Observe

Ob*serve"\, v. i. 1. To take notice; to give attention to what one sees or hears; to attend.

2. To make a remark; to comment; -- generally with on or upon.

I have barely quoted . . . without observing upon it. --Pope.

Syn: To remark. See Remark.

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