observe
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Written by a house AI from the entry below, in your language. The entry itself is the source.
observe
- /əbˈzɜːv/ UK
- /ɒbˈzɜːv/ UK, rare
- /əbˈzɝv/ Canada, US
Rhymes with -ɜː(ɹ)v
Where it comes from
From Middle French observer, from Old French observer, from Latin observō (“to watch”), from ob- (“before”) + servō (“to keep”), from Proto-Indo-European *ser- (“to guard”). Cognate with Gothic 𐍃𐌰𐍂𐍅𐌰 (sarwa, “weapons, armour”), Old English searu (“device”).
verb observes · observing · observed · observe
- To notice or view, especially carefully or with attention to detail. From this vantage point we can observe the behavior of the animals in their natural habitat.
- To follow or obey the custom, practice, or rules (especially of a religion). Please observe all posted speed limits.
- To take note of and celebrate (a holiday or similar occurrence), to keep; to follow (a type of time or calendar reckoning). Ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread.
- To comment on something; to make an observation. The senator observed that the bill would be detrimental to his constituents.
noun observes
- An observation (remark, comment or judgement). “It sticks in my mind that he would take it very ill,” says Alan. “But the little man cried to me to run, and indeed I thought it was a good observe, and ran. The last that I saw they were all in a knot upon the beach, like folk that were not agreeing very well together.”
