▪ I. observe, v.
(əbˈzɜːv)
[a. F. observer (10th c. in Godef. Compl.), ad. L. observāre to watch, look towards, look to, attend to, pay attention to, guard, keep; f. ob- (ob- 1 a) + servāre to watch, look at, guard, keep.]
I. To attend to in practice; to keep; to follow.
1. trans. To pay practical attention or regard to (a law, command, custom, practice, covenant, set time, or anything prescribed or fixed); to adhere to or abide by in practice: = keep v. 11.
| 1390 Gower Conf. III. 233 That bothe kinde schal be served And ek the lawe of god observed. 1484 Caxton Fables of æsop ii. ix, Good Children ought to obserue and kepe euer the comaundements of theyr good parents. 1526 Tindale Matt. xxiii. 3 Whatsoever they byd you observe, that observe and do. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 709 They..observe Circumcision. 1781 J. Moore View Soc. It. (1790) II. lxii. 222, I shall observe your prohibition not to refer you to any medical book. 1884 A. R. Pennington Wiclif ix. 298 They declared that neither faith nor promise was to be observed to the detriment of the Catholic Church. |
b. To adhere to, follow (a method, rule, or principle of action).
| a 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. VII 4 So that..he observyng the regyment that amongest the people was devysed could..avoyde the..malyce of the sweate. 1669 Sturmy Mariner's Mag. iv. 189 If you will seriously observe these short Directions..you shall never have your Expectation deceived. 1733 Berkeley Th. Vision §38 Wks. 1871 I. 387 In considering the Theory of Vision, I observed a certain known method. 1739 C. Labelye Short Acc. Piers Westm. Br. 60 A Precaution, which good Engineers often observe in the Foundation of Ramparts. 1870 Jevons Elem. Logic xv. 129 In ordinary writing and speaking this rule is seldom observed. |
2. To hold or keep to, to follow (a manner of life or conduct, a habit); to continue to hold, maintain, retain (a quality, state, or condition): = keep v. 23.
| c 1386 Chaucer Pars. T. ¶873 Thise maner of wommen þat obseruen chaastitee most be clene in herte. 1497 Bp. Alcock Mons Perfect. C iij, True religyous men obseruynge theyr obedyence. 1513 More Rich. III (1883) 1 Brigette, whiche..professed and obserued a religious life in Dertforde. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 540 A care to observe humanitie and pietie. 1716 Addison Freeholder No. 18 ¶4 The present government..will so far observe this kind of Conduct, as to reduce [etc.]. 1843 Lefevre Life Trav. Phys. II. ii. vii. 260 The people observe a dead silence. 1853 J. H. Newman Hist. Sk. (1873) II. i. iii. 134 Othman observed the life of a Turcoman, till he became a conqueror. |
† b. To follow the practice, be in the habit, ‘use’ (to do something). Obs.
| 1641 Hinde J. Bruen xxix. 90 Against S. Andrews day..I observed (saith he) many yeares together, to invite two or three..preachers. 1743 Lond. & Country Brew. iv. (ed. 2) 271 Another who used to brew his strong Drink by only one Mashing,..observed to thrust down a good Handful of fresh Hops just over the Tapwhips. |
3. To celebrate duly, to solemnize in the prescribed way (a religious rite, ceremony, fast, festival, etc.): = keep v. 12.
| 1526 Tindale Gal. iv. 10 Ye observe the dayes and monethes and tymes and yeares. 1590 Shakes. Mids. N. iv. i. 189 No doubt they rose vp early, to observe The right of May. 1611 Bible Exod. xii. 17 Ye shall obserue the feast of unleavened bread. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 348 The day wherein he overthrew Seleucus, was solemnely observed every yeare amongst them. 1770 Langhorne Plutarch (1879) I. 12/1 A chariot race at Veii..was observed as usual. 1833 R. Choate Addresses (1878) 16 A score of Indian tribes..observed the rites of that bloody and horrible Paganism which formed their only religion. Mod. Christmas is now observed in Scotland much more than formerly. |
II. † 4. To treat with attention or regard. Obs. † a. gen. To show regard for, respect, defer to. Obs. rare.
| c 1386 Chaucer Prioress' T. 179 This Prouost dooth the Iewes for to sterue That of this mordre wiste..He nolde no swich cursednesse obserue, Yuele shal he haue þat yuele wol deserue. |
† b. To show respectful or courteous attention to (a person); to treat with ceremonious respect or reverence; to worship, honour; to court; to humour, gratify. Obs.
| 1599 Davies Astrea xvi, No spirit but takes thee for her queen, And thinks she must observe thee. 1601 Shakes. Jul. C. iv. iii. 45 Must I obserue you? Must I stand and crouch Vnder your Testie Humour? 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 821 They which dwell on this River observe an Idoll of great note. 1754 Richardson Grandison VII. xix. 107 Clementina loves to be punctiliously observed. |
III. To attend to with the mind; to mark; to perceive.
† 5. To give heed to (a point); to take care that something be done, or to do something. Obs.
| 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 8 Foure thynges be necessary to be vnderstande & obserued of all them that entendeth to trauayle the same. a 1548 Hall Chron., Hen VII 4 One poynte diligently..is to be observed and attended, that he never put..foote out of y⊇ bed. 1611 Bible Deut. vi. 25 It shall be our righteousnes, if we obserue to doe all these Commandements. 1703 Rules Civility 41 You must..observe to take a worse Seat than his Lordship. 1707 W. Funnell Voy. 164 Observe that you come not too near the Cape. 1793 Smeaton Edystone L. §97, I took off..the most remarkable points,..observing to have one at each end..of each step. |
6. To regard with attention; to watch; † to watch over, look after (obs.).
| 1567 Gude & Godlie B. (S.T.S.) 98 The wickit dois obserue the Innocent, To seik to slay him with cruell intent. 1601 Shakes. All's Well ii. i. 46 Say to him I liue, and obserue his reports for me. 1685 Baxter Paraphr. N.T., Acts xv. 36 Converted Souls and planted Churches, must be further visited, observed and watered. 1717 tr. Frezier's Voy. 65, I observ'd them attentively..and did not..see one smiling Countenance among them. 1861 M. Pattison Ess. (1889) I. 36 Edward..requires his ambassador to observe the young prince, and to inform himself of his character and disposition. 1884 Punch 5 Apr. 160/2, I fancy I was being ‘observed’, as they say on the Stage. |
b. spec. To regard with attention by way of augury or divination; to inspect for purposes of divination; to watch or take note of (presages or omens), L. observare or servare cælum, sidera, motus stellarum, etc.: cf. observation 5 c.
| c 1391 Chaucer Astrol. ii. §4 The assendent..is a thing which þat thise Astrologiens gretly obseruen. 1513 More Rich. III (1883) 49 Yet hath it [the stumbling of one's horse] ben, of an olde rite and custome, obserued as a token..notably foregoing some great misfortune. 1611 Bible Lev. xix. 26 Neither shall ye vse inchantment, nor obserue times. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 675 Which are great Witches, and observe entrals of sacrificed Beastes. 1718 Free-thinker No. 62 ¶13 As for the Occasions, upon which the Ancients had Recourse to Presages..it was judged requisite to observe Them, more especially, in Entring upon any Undertaking. |
c. Mil. To watch (a fortress, the enemy's movements, etc.); also absol. or intr.
| [1611 Bible 2 Sam. xi. 16 When Joab observed the city.] 1799 Floyd in Owen Mrq. Wellesley's Desp. (1877) 122, I was observing, with three regiments of cavalry, between the right flank of Colonel Wellesley and the left of General Harris. 1813 Examiner 3 May 274/2 The fortress..is..observed by some parties of Cossacks. 1836 Alison Europe (1849–50) V. xxvii. §78. 67 Froelich, with six thousand men, observed Coni. 1853 Stocqueler Mil. Encycl. s.v., To observe the motions of an enemy is to keep a good look out by means of intelligent and steady spies or scouts. |
d. absol. or intr. To make observations.
| 1604 Shakes. Oth. iii. iii. 240 Set on thy wife to obserue. 1760–72 H. Brooke Fool of Qual. (1809) III. 138 You have seen and observed upon many courts of late. 1791 Burke To Member Nat. Assembly Wks. VI. 32 He has not observed on the nature of vanity who does not know that it is omnivorous. |
† 7. trans. To watch for in order to take advantage of (a proper time, an opportunity). Obs.
| 1540–1 Elyot Image Gov. 17 Obseruing the tyme, he by little and little withdrewe hym into suche places. Ibid. 92 Good diligence in obseruing the oportunity of tyme in sowyng & planting. 1560 J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 109 The byshop..for this cause made the league, observing the occasion of tyme. a 1642 Sir W. Monson Naval Tracts v. (1704) 467/2 They must observe the Spring-Tides to come over the Barr. |
8. To take notice of, to be conscious of seeing (a thing or fact); to notice, remark, perceive, see.
| 1560 J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 285 The Sunne loked pale and dimme,..And this was not observed in Germany only, but also in Fraunce and England. 1634 Sir. T. Herbert Trav. 223 King Henry..observing simplicitie in the Messengers delivery. 1736 Butler Anal. i. ii. Wks. 1874 I. 35 This every one observes to be the general course of things. 1775 Sheridan Rivals ii. i, I observe you have got an odd kind of a new method of swearing. 1793 Cowper Let. 6 Sept., Hearing the hall-clock, I observed a great difference between that and ours. 1833–6 J. Eagles Sketcher (1856) 200, I am not, observe, here saying one is preferable to another. |
| absol. 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. ii. x. §4 If men will intend to observe, they shall find much worthy to observe. 1783 Blair Rhet. x. I. 200 We remark, in the way of attention, in order to remember; we observe, in the way of examination, in order to judge. |
† b. To pay attention to (a person, i.e. to what he says); to mark. Obs.
| 1775 Sheridan Rivals i. ii, Mrs. Mal. Observe me, Sir Anthony. I would by no means wish a daughter of mine to be a progeny of learning. |
9. To take notice of scientifically; esp. to examine (phenomena) as they are presented to the senses, without the aid of experiment; to perceive or learn by scientific inspection. (Cf. observation 6.)
| 1559 W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 162, I can with my..Quadrant, obserue the height of the sonne, and sterre, vntill that he come to the meridian. 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. ii. x. §5 As for..impostumations,..they ought to have been exactly observed by multitude of anatomies. 1669 Sturmy Mariner's Mag. iii. 126 You must observe with your Instrument the Angle CBA, and measure the Distance. 1704 Hearne Duct. Hist. (1714) I. 398 The Chaldæans..said they had begun to observe the Stars 470000 years before Alexander's Expedition thither. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. iii. I. 372 The Marquess of Worcester had recently observed the expansive power of moisture rarefied by heat. 1871 B. Stewart Heat §63 Adding this to the height of the barometer which was observed at the same moment. |
| absol. 1879 Thomson & Tait Nat. Phil. I. i. §369 When, as in astronomy, we endeavour to ascertain these causes by simply watching their effects, we observe; when, as in our laboratories, we interfere arbitrarily with the causes or circumstances of a phenomenon, we are said to experiment. |
b. spec. To make an observation (see observation 6 b) in order to determine the altitude of (the sun or other heavenly body), to ascertain (the latitude or longitude), etc.; also absol. or intr.
| [1559: see 9.] 1627 Capt. Smith Seaman's Gram. ix. 42 Obserue the height, that is, at twelue a clocke to take the height of the Sunne. 1669 Sturmy Mariner's Mag. ii. 78 The Mariner's Cross-Staff..by which we observe the Celestial Lights. 1761 Dunn in Phil. Trans. LII. 185 In taking altitudes, I always observe, when the sun, or other celestial body, is as near the prime vertical, or east and west azimuth, as possible. 1854 Bartlett Mex. Boundary I. xvi. 373 Lieutenant Whipple observed here, and found the latitude to be 32°08{p}43{pp}, longitude 109°24{p}33{pp}. |
IV. 10. To say by way of remark; to remark or mention in speech or writing.
| 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn ii. xxv. §24 Your Majesty doth excellently well observe, that witchcraft is the height of idolatry. 1646 J. Hall Horæ Vac. 172 Tis handsomely observed, that the maine of other Religions never gained by Christianity. 1709 Atterbury Serm. Luke x. 32 in Serm. (1726) II. 243 His Compassion and Benignity towards little Children is observ'd by all the Evangelists. 1716 Addison Free-holder No. 22 ¶2 My Fellow-Traveller, upon this, observed to me, there had been no good Weather since the Revolution. 1833 H. Martineau Charmed Sea i. 3 ‘You will not cross the testy sea to-night’, observed one of the peasants. 1839 Thirlwall Greece VI. lii. 319 The king..observed that on a fine theme it was no hard task to speak well. |
b. absol., or intr. with on or upon: To make a remark or observation, to comment (on).
| 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 120 Scaliger thus observeth concerning the Iewish yeare. The Iewes (saith he) use [etc.]. 1665 Sir T. Herbert Trav. (1677) 23 Not only the surface but the inward bowels of the Earth (as Sir Fran. Bacon observes). 1717 Col. Rec. Pennsylv. III. 39 It was moved that they should be read, for the members of Council to observe upon them. 1827 R. H. Froude Rem. (1838) I. 453, I will make my meals as simple as I can, without being observed on. 1883 Sir N. Lindley in Law Rep. 11 Queen's Bench Div. 527 These matters I thought it necessary to observe upon. |
¶ 11. catachr. To keep, preserve; to retain. Obs.
| c 1420 Pallad. on Husb. iv. 332 Summen..With water mynge vryne observed longe. 1577 Hanmer Anc. Eccl. Hist. 71 The fatherly affection of Rome, which..your bishop not onely obserued but augmented. 1596 Dalrymple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. ii. 131 Thir armes we knawe evir his eftircumeris to haue obseruet. |
Hence observed (-ˈzɜːvd), ppl. a.; obˈservedly (-ɪdlɪ) adv., notably.
| 1602 Shakes. Ham. iii. i. 162 The glasse of Fashion, and the mould of Forme, Th' obseru'd of all Obseruers. 1615 Chapman Odyss. vi. 112 Up to coach then goes Th' observed maid. 1669 Sturmy Mariner's Mag. iv. 157 When the Dead Latitude differs from the Observed Latitude. 1860 Tyndall Glac. Pref., To refer the observed phenomena to their physical causes. 1891 C. C. Coe in Relig. & Life ii. 52 Science, and observedly the science of geology, has freed us. |
▪ II. obˈserve, n.
[f. observe v.]
† 1. = observation 5, 6, 7. Obs.
| 1686 Goad Celest. Bodies i. iv. 14 Some that shoot without aim, may abandon these Observes for superstitions. 1830 Galt Lawrie T. iii. i. (1849) 145 The Squire, and I, could scale the river, and make observes. |
2. A verbal observation, a remark. Sc.
| 1711 Countrey-Man's Lett. to Curat 77 The observe of a certain Polititian, that mundus regitur a stultis holding generally true. 1738 W. Wilson Def. Ref. Princ. Ch. Scot. (1769) I. 34, I shall first offer a few observes concerning the Church. 1886 Stevenson Kidnapped xii. 110 ‘And that's a good observe, David’, said Alan. 1893 Crockett Stickit Minister 73 A most uncalled for observe. |
† 3. Sc. A division of a sermon.
| 1833 W. L. Mackenzie Sk. Canada & U.S. 8, I went to hear Doctor McLeod, a steadfast Presbyterian of the old school. There..the discourse is divided and subdivided into heads and observes in true covenanting fashion. |