OBSERVE • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Observe

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/əbzˈərv/ Listen

verb

Observe v. t. (past & past part. observed; pres. part. observing)

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. "Ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread." "He wolde no such cursedness observe." "Must I budge? Must I observe you?" "With solemn purpose to observe Immutably his sovereign will."

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.

To express as what has been noticed; to utter as a remark; to say in a casual or incidental way; to remark.

Observe v. i.

To take notice; to give attention to what one sees or hears; to attend.

To make a remark; to comment; to make an observation (3); generally with on or upon. "I have barely quoted... without observing upon it."

Synonyms: To remark. See Remark.

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Etymology of 'Observe'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Observe" Quotes from Famous Books

... agree—though I think they must be very rare cases—we may be allowed to substitute for it a solution of "gum arabic, in the proportion of an ounce to a pint of water," to which may be added a little sugar; and if the child is old enough to observe the color, just milk enough to change the appearance. Another preparation for the same purpose consists of rennet whey, a little sweetened, and "disguised, ...

— The Young Mother - Management of Children in Regard to Health • William A. Alcott

... evident, we must observe that there are certain things the use of which consists in their consumption; thus we consume wine when we use it for drink, and we consume wheat when we use it for food. Wherefore in such-like things the use of the thing must not be reckoned apart from the thing itself, and whoever is granted ...

— An Essay on Mediaeval Economic Teaching • George O'Brien

... fire this time," she said to Betty, as they hurried along. "We have very, very few in London, and when the brigade is out, it is generally only for exercise or practice. But, it will interest you and John to see how we fight a fire, and to observe whether ...

— John and Betty's History Visit • Margaret Williamson

... telegram received; and would we look at the rooms? Outlooking on the piazza, with a balcony from which we could observe the Festa of to-morrow. She hoped they would please us. "Only ...

— Little Rivers - A Book Of Essays In Profitable Idleness • Henry van Dyke

... did not observe her lodger's looks, so intent was she in admiration of Mr. Fishblate's fine points, ...

— Wired Love - A Romance of Dots and Dashes • Ella Cheever Thayer

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