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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.
—Related forms
[uh
b-zurv] Pronunciation Key verb, -served, -serv·ing. –verb (used with object)
–verb (used without 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. |
| 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·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.
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
| ob·serve
(əb-zûrv') Pronunciation Key
v. ob·served, ob·serv·ing, ob·serves v. tr.
v. intr.
[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. |
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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.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
observe
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.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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] |
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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