*observ*

a. [ L. inobservantia : cf. F. inobservance. ] Lack or neglect of observance. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. inobservans. See In- not, and Observant. ] Not observant; regardless; heedless. Bp. Hurd.

-- In`ob*serv"ant*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

n. [ Cf. F. inobservation. ] Neglect or lack of observation. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Mal- + observation. ] Erroneous observation. J. S Mill. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To observe inaccurately; to mistake in observing. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who misobserves; one who fails to observe properly. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Neglect or failure to observe or fulfill. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. observabilis: cf. F. observable. ] 1. Capable of being observed; discernible; noticeable. Sir. T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

The difference is sufficiently observable. Southey. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Worthy of being observed; important enough to be noted or celebrated; as, an observable anniversary. [ PJC ]

3. Noteworthy; remarkable. [ PJC ]

-- Ob*serv"a*ble*ness, n. -- Ob*serv"a*bly, adv. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. observance, L. observantia. See Observant. ] 1. The act or practice of observing or noticing with attention; a heeding or keeping with care; performance; -- usually with a sense of strictness and fidelity; as, the observance of the Sabbath is general; the strict observance of duties. [ 1913 Webster ]

It is a custom
More honored in the breach than the observance. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An act, ceremony, or rite, as of worship or respect; especially, a customary act or service of attention; a form; a practice; a rite; a custom. [ 1913 Webster ]

At dances
These young folk kept their observances. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Use all the observance of civility. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Some represent to themselves the whole of religion as consisting in a few easy observances. Rogers. [ 1913 Webster ]

O I that wasted time to tend upon her,
To compass her with sweet observances! Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Servile attention; sycophancy. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Salads and flesh, such as their haste could get,
Served with observance. Chapman. [ 1913 Webster ]

This is not atheism,
But court observance. Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Observance, Observation. These words are discriminated by the two distinct senses of observe. To observe means (1) to keep strictly; as, to observe a fast day, and hence, observance denotes the keeping or heeding with strictness; (2) to consider attentively, or to remark; and hence, observation denotes either the act of observing, or some remark made as the result thereof. We do not say the observation of Sunday, though the word was formerly so used. The Pharisees were curious in external observances; the astronomers are curious in celestial observations. [ 1913 Webster ]

Love rigid honesty,
And strict observance of impartial laws. Roscommon. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Observance. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n.; pl. Observanda [ L. ] A thing to be observed. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. observans, -anits, p. pr. of observare: cf. F. observant. See Observe. ] 1. Taking notice; viewing or noticing attentively; watchful; carefully attentive; as, an observant spectator; observant habits. [ 1913 Webster ]

Wandering from clime to clime observant stray'd. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Submissively attentive; obediently watchful; regardful; mindful; obedient (to); -- with of, as, to be observant of rules. [ 1913 Webster ]

We are told how observant Alexander was of his master Aristotle. Sir K. Digby. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who observes forms and rules. [ Obs. ] Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A sycophantic servant. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Silly ducking observants,
That stretch their duties nicely. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (R. C. Ch.) An Observantine. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Fr. observantin. ] (R. C. Ch.) One of a branch of the Order of Franciscans, who profess to adhere more strictly than the Conventuals to the intention of the founder, especially as to poverty; -- called also Observants. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an observant manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. observatio: cf. F. observation. ] 1. The act or the faculty of observing or taking notice; the act of seeing, or of fixing the mind upon, anything. [ 1913 Webster ]

My observation, which very seldom lies. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The result of an act, or of acts, of observing; view; reflection; conclusion; judgment. [ 1913 Webster ]

In matters of human prudence, we shall find the greatest advantage in making wise observations on our conduct. I. Watts. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Hence: An expression of an opinion or judgment upon what one has observed; a remark. “That's a foolish observation.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

To observations which ourselves we make
We grow more partial for the observer's sake. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Performance of what is prescribed; adherence in practice; observance. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

We are to procure dispensation or leave to omit the observation of it in such circumstances. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Science) (a) The act of recognizing and noting some fact or occurrence in nature, as an aurora, a corona, or the structure of an animal. (b) Specifically, the act of measuring, with suitable instruments, some magnitude, as the time of an occultation, with a clock; the right ascension of a star, with a transit instrument and clock; the sun's altitude, or the distance of the moon from a star, with a sextant; the temperature, with a thermometer, etc. (c) The information so acquired; as, to record one's observations carefully. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ When a phenomenon is scrutinized as it occurs in nature, the act is termed an observation. When the conditions under which the phenomenon occurs are artificial, or arranged beforehand by the observer, the process is called an experiment. Experiment includes observation. [ 1913 Webster ]

To take an observation (Naut.), to ascertain the altitude of a heavenly body, with a view to fixing a vessel's position at sea. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Observance; notice; attention; remark; comment; note. See Observance. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to observation; consisting of, or containing, observations. Chalmers. [ 1913 Webster ]

. A railway passenger car made so as to facilitate seeing the scenery en route; a car open, or with glass sides, or with a kind of open balcony at the rear. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

. A room or platform at a high point in a tall building with a broad view of the surrounding area. It is often an outdoor platform, but is sometimes indoors in a room with large windows to accommodate viewing. [ PJC ]

. (Mil.) a military outpost, usually at a height above the surrounding terrain, at or near the front line of a battle from which an observer may see the enemy's positions and direct artillery fire. [ PJC ]

a. Observing; watchful. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. ] 1. One who observes or takes notice. [ Obs. ] Sir M. Hale. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One who makes a remark. [ Obs. ] Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Observatories [ Cf. F. observatoire. ] 1. A place or building for making observations on the heavenly bodies. [ 1913 Webster ]

The new observatory in Greenwich Park. Evelyn. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A building fitted with instruments for making systematic observations of any particular class or series of natural phenomena. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A place, as an elevated chamber, from which a view may be observed or commanded. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Mil.) A lookout on a flank of a battery whence an officer can note the range and effect of the fire; usually referred to as an observation post. Farrow. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread. Ex. xii. 17. [ 1913 Webster ]

He wolde no such cursedness observe. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Must I budge? Must I observe you? Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

With solemn purpose to observe
Immutably his sovereign will. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To be on the watch respecting; to pay attention to; to notice with care; to see; to perceive; to notice; to discover; as, to observe an eclipse; to observe the color or fashion of a dress; to observe the movements of an army; to observe an accident. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

3. To express as what has been noticed; to utter as a remark; to say in a casual or incidental way; to remark. [ 1913 Webster ]

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 . . . without observing upon it. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To remark. See Remark. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. perceived with the eyes and sometimes with other senses; as, no explanation for the observed phenomena. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. Detected by systematic scientific observation; as, variation in the observed flux may depend on a number of factors.
Syn. -- ascertained. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

3. Perceived directly with the eyes; observed at first hand.
Syn. -- seen, witnessed. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. 1. One who observes, or pays attention to, anything; especially, one engaged in, or trained to habits of, close and exact observation; as, an astronomical observer. [ 1913 Webster ]

The observed of all observers. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Careful observers may foretell the hour,
By sure prognostic, when to dread a shower. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One who keeps any law, custom, regulation, rite, etc.; one who conforms to anything in practice. “Diligent observers of old customs.” Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

These . . . hearkened unto observers of times. Deut. xviii. 14. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. One who fulfills or performs; as, an observer of his promises. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A sycophantic follower. [ Obs. ] Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The office or work of an observer. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Giving particular attention; habitually attentive to what passes; observant{ 1 }; as, an observing person; an observing mind. -- Ob*serv"ing*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

n. Want or neglect of observance; inobservance. Whitlock. [ 1913 Webster ]

See accommodating.
See aching.
See ailing.
See aiming.
See alarming.
See altering.
See appreciating.
See approving.
See aspiring.
See assisting.
See attempting.
See attending.
See bearing.
See befitting.
See beginning.
See believing.
See bleaching.
See bleeding.
See blemishing.
See blenching.
See blossoming.
See blushing.
See boding.
See branching.
See breathing.
See burning.
See calculating.
See ceasing.
See changing.
See charming.
See communicating.
See complaining.
See complying.
See conceiving.
See conducing.
See confessing.
See conniving.
See consenting.
See considering.
See conspiring.
See consulting.
See consuming.
See contending.
See contriving.
See conversing.
See convincing.
See dawning.
See decaying.
See delaying.
See depending.
See derogating.
See deserving.
See desiring.
See despairing.
See detesting.
See deviating.
See differencing.
See discerning.
See discording.
See discriminating.
See disobliging.
See dispensing.
See dissembling.
See dissolving.
See distinguishing.
See distracting.
See disturbing.
See doubting.
See dreading.
See drooping.
See ebbing.
See echoing.
See edifying.
See ending.
See enduring.
See engaging.
See enjoying.
See entering.
See enterprising.
See entertaining.
See envying.
See existing.
See fadging.
See fading.
See fainting.
See faltering.
See fearing.
See feigning.
See fighting.
See fitting.
See flagging.
See flattering.
See flinching.
See folding.
See forbearing.
See foreboding.
See foreseeing.
See forgiving.
See giving.
See grudging.
See harming.
See heeding.
See hesitating.
See hoping.
See hurting.
See importing.
See imposing.
See improving.
See interesting.
See intermitting.
See intoxicating.
See inviting.
See jarring.
See laboring.
See lingering.
See listening.
See loving.
See meddling.
See meriting.
See mistrusting.
See moving.
See murmuring.
See obliging.
See observing.
See offending.
See opening.
See pardoning.
See paying.
See perceiving.
See performing.
See perishing.
See pitying.
See pleasing.
See possessing.
See preaching.
See prepossessing.
See presuming.
See pretending.
See prevailing.
See prevaricating.
See profiting.
See promising.
See proving.
See quailing.
See questioning.
See reasoning.
See recalling.
See reclining.
See recurring.
See referring.
See reflecting.
See refunding.
See refusing.
See rejoicing.
See relaxing.
See relishing.
See remembering.
See repenting.
See repining.
See reproving.
See repulsing.
See resisting.
See resolving.
See resting.
See returning.
See rewarding.
See sanctifying.
See satisfying.
See searching.
See seeing.
See setting.
See shrinking.
See sinking.
See sleeping.
See slipping.
See slumbering.
See speaking.
See stinting.
See stirring.
See stooping.
See submitting.
See sufficing.
See suiting.
See surging.
See suspecting.
See sweating.
See swerving.
See sympathizing.
See tasting.
See thriving.
See tiring.
See toiling.
See trading.
See trembling.
See trespassing.
See trifling.
See vacillating.
See varying.
See walking.
See wandering.
See waning.
See wasting.
See wavering.
See weeping.
See winking.
See winning.
See withdrawing.
See withering.
See wondering.
See working.
See writing.
See yielding.
----- and the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

The above classes of words are unlimited in extent, and such compounds may be formed by any writer or speaker at will from almost all the adjectives or participles in the language, excepting those which have a recognized and usual negative correspondent with the prefix -in. No attempt will be made, therefore, to define them all in this Dictionary; many will be omitted from its Vocabulary which are negations of the simple word, and are readily explained by prefixing a not to the latter. Derivatives of these words in -ly and -ness will also, for the most part, be omitted for the same or similar reasons. [ 1913 Webster ]

There will be inserted as separate articles with definitions, the following: -- [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Those which have acquired an opposed or contrary, instead of a merely negative, meaning; as, unfriendly, ungraceful, unpalatable, unquiet, and the like; or else an intensive sense more than a prefixed not would express; as, unending, unparalleled, undisciplined, undoubted, unsafe, and the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Those which have the value of independent words, inasmuch as the simple words are either not used at all, or are rarely, or at least much less frequently, used; as, unavoidable, unconscionable, undeniable, unspeakable, unprecedented, unruly, and the like; or inasmuch as they are used in a different sense from the usual meaning of the primitive, or especially in one of the significations of the latter; as, unaccountable, unalloyed, unbelieving, unpretending, unreserved, and the like; or inasmuch as they are so frequently and familiarly used that they are hardly felt to be of negative origin; as, uncertain, uneven, and the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Those which are anomalous, provincial, or, for some other reason, not desirable to be used, and are so indicated; as, unpure for impure, unsatisfaction for dissatisfaction, unexpressible for inexpressible, and the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

II. Un- is prefixed to nouns to express the absence of, or the contrary of, that which the noun signifies; as, unbelief, unfaith, unhealth, unrest, untruth, and the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Compounds of this last class are given in full in their proper order in the Vocabulary. [ 1913 Webster ]