observ

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 ]

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 ]

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. [ 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 ]