observe

observe
—observedly /euhb zerr"vid lee/, adv. —observingly, adv.
/euhb zerrv"/, v., observed, observing.
v.t.
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.
v.i.
10. to notice.
11. to act as an observer.
12. to remark or comment (usually fol. by on or upon).
[1350-1400; ME observen < MF observer < L observare to watch, regard, attend to, equiv. to ob- OB- + servare to keep, save, pay heed to]
Syn. 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.
Ant. 1-3, 6-8. ignore.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Observe — Ob*serve ([o^]b*z[ e]rv ), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Observed} ([o^]b*z[ e]rvd ); 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • observe — [v1] see, notice beam, behold, catch, contemplate, detect, dig, discern, discover, distinguish, eagle eye*, espy, examine, eyeball*, flash*, get a load of*, get an eyeful of*, inspect, keep one’s eye on*, lamp*, look at, make out*, mark, mind,… …   New thesaurus

  • observe — I (obey) verb abide by, acquiesce, adhere to, attend, be faithful to, be guided by, be regulated by, be submissive to, bow to, carry out, cling to, comply with, conform, conservare, cooperate, discharge, do the will of, execute, follow, fulfill,… …   Law dictionary

  • Observe — Ob*serve , v. i. 1. To take notice; to give attention to what one sees or hears; to attend. [1913 Webster] 2. To make a remark; to comment; to make an observation[3]; generally with on or upon. [1913 Webster +PJC] I have barely quoted . . .… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • observé — observé, ée (ob sèr vé, vée) part. passé d observer. 1°   À quoi on s est conformé. •   Dans tous pays il n y a jamais de lois observées que celles qui tiennent à la nature du gouvernement, J. J. ROUSS. Lett. à M. de Malesherbes, corresp. t. V, p …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

  • observe — (v.) late 14c., 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 (see OB (Cf. ob )) + servare to watch, keep safe, from PIE root *ser to protect.… …   Etymology dictionary

  • observe — 1 *keep, celebrate, solemnize, commemorate Analogous words: respect, esteem, regard (see under REGARD n): *revere, reverence, venerate Antonyms: violate Contrasted words: *neglect, ignore, overlook, disregard, slight 2 survey, view, contemplate,… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • observé — Observé, [observ]ée. part …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • observe — ► VERB 1) notice; perceive. 2) watch attentively; monitor. 3) make a remark; say. 4) fulfil or comply with. DERIVATIVES observable adjective observer noun. ORIGIN Latin obs …   English terms dictionary

  • observe — [əb zʉrv′] vt. observed, observing [ME observen < OFr observer < L observare, to watch, note < ob (see OB ) + servare, to keep or hold < IE base * ser , to watch over, guard > Sans haraiti, (he) guards] 1. to adhere to, follow,… …   English World dictionary

  • observe — verb 1 notice/watch ADVERB ▪ carefully, closely ▪ precisely ▪ directly ▪ It is not possible to observe this phenomenon directly. ▪ …   Collocations dictionary

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