observe

Verb
Synonyms: detectfinddiscovernoticenotementionremarktake noterespecthonorhonourabide by

WordNet 3.0

Verb (9)

  1. discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of“She detected high levels of lead in her drinking water”“We found traces of lead in the paint”Synonyms: detectfinddiscovernotice
  2. make mention of“She observed that his presentation took up too much time”“They noted that it was a fine day to go sailing”Synonyms: notementionremark
  3. observe with care or pay close attention to“Take note of this chemical reaction”Synonyms: notetake note
  4. watch attentively“Please observe the reaction of these two chemicals”
  5. show respect towards“honor your parents!”Synonyms: respecthonorhonourabide by
  6. behave as expected during of holidays or rites“Keep the commandments”“celebrate Christmas”“Observe Yom Kippur”Synonyms: celebratekeep
  7. follow with the eyes or the mind“Keep an eye on the baby, please!”“The world is watching Sarajevo”“She followed the men with the binoculars”Synonyms: watchfollowwatch overkeep an eye on
  8. stick to correctly or closely“The pianist kept time with the metronome”“keep count”“I cannot keep track of all my employees”Synonyms: keepmaintain
  9. conform one's action or practice to“keep appointments”“she never keeps her promises”“We kept to the original conditions of the contract”Synonyms: keep
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

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 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. [1913 Webster]

Ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread.— Ex. xii. 17.[1913 Webster]
He wolde no such cursedness observe.— Chaucer.[1913 Webster]
Must I budge? Must I observe you?— Shak.[1913 Webster]
With solemn purpose to observe Immutably his sovereign will.— Milton.[1913 Webster]

2.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. [1913 Webster +PJC]

3.To express as what has been noticed; to utter as a remark; to say in a casual or incidental way; to remark. [1913 Webster]

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 . . . without observing upon it.— Pope.[1913 Webster]

Syn: To remark. See Remark. [1913 Webster]

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