observe

observe
ob|serve [ əb`zɜrv ] verb transitive ***
1. ) FORMAL to notice someone doing something or something happening:
Similar trends may be observed in most modern societies.
observe that: James had already observed that she was not listening.
observe someone/something doing something: I observed him putting the watch into his pocket.
a ) to watch or study someone or something with care and attention in order to discover something:
All evening Jane observed his behavior closely.
observe someone/something doing something: We observed 120 women interacting with their babies and compared them with 120 men.
2. ) to accept and obey something such as a rule or an agreement:
The proper procedures must be strictly observed.
Rebel forces say they will no longer observe the peace agreement.
a ) to accept and perform the customs connected with a particular day, festival, or event:
Russians observed a day of mourning for the victims.
a nationally observed holiday
b ) observe a silence to be silent for a particular time in order to show your respect for someone or something:
A minute's silence was observed in his memory.
3. ) FORMAL to make a written or spoken comment about someone or something:
You always arrive at the right time, he observed drily.
observe that: In his book he observes that the President was an able diplomat.

Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.

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Synonyms:
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Look at other dictionaries:

  • 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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