ob·serv·ance

[uhb-zur-vuhns]
noun
1.
an act or instance of following, obeying, or conforming to: the observance of traffic laws.
2.
a keeping or celebration by appropriate procedure, ceremonies, etc.: the observance of the sabbath.
3.
a procedure, ceremony, or rite, as for a particular occasion: patriotic observances.
4.
a rule or custom to be followed or obeyed; a customary practice.
5.
Roman Catholic Church.
a.
a rule or discipline for a religious house or order.
b.
a house or order observing a rule or discipline.
6.
an act or instance of watching, noting, or perceiving; observation.
7.
respectful attention or service.
8.
Archaic. courteous attention as to a person; dutiful service.

Origin:
1175–1225; Middle English observaunce < Old French < Late Latin observantia, Latin: esteem, attention, derivative of observant- (stem of observāns), present participle of observāre. See observe, -ance

pre·ob·serv·ance, noun

observance, observation.


1. compliance, adherence, heedfulness.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To observance
00:10
Observance is always a great word to know.
So is gobo. Does it mean:
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare.
Collins
World English Dictionary
observance (əbˈzɜːvəns) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n
1.  recognition of or compliance with a law, custom, practice, etc
2.  the act of such recognition
3.  a ritual, ceremony, or practice, esp of a religion
4.  observation or attention
5.  the degree of strictness of a religious order or community in following its rule
6.  archaic respectful or deferential attention

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

observance
early 13c., "act performed in accordance with prescribed usage," esp. a religious or ceremonial one," from O.Fr. observance, from L. observantia "act of keeping customs, attention," from observantem (nom. observans), prp. of observare (see observe). Observance is the attending
to and carrying out of a duty or rule. Observation is watching, noticing.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
With the rise in religious observance society has become less tolerant.
His life is trammelled by the observance of certain restrictions or taboos.
Success is in large part dependent on the comprehension and observance of
  entrenched protocols.
Observance of such is a specific condition of employment and admission.
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