observe

observe
[[t]əbzɜ͟ː(r)v[/t]]
♦♦♦
observes, observing, observed
1) VERB If you observe a person or thing, you watch them carefully, especially in order to learn something about them.

[V n] Stern also studies and observes the behaviour of babies...

[V n] Are there any classes I could observe?...

[V n -ing] Our sniper teams observed them manning an anti-aircraft gun. [Also V, V n inf]

Syn:
watch, study
2) VERB If you observe someone or something, you see or notice them. [FORMAL]

[V n] In 1664 Hooke observed a reddish spot on the surface of the planet.

Syn:
3) VERB If you observe that something is the case, you make a remark or comment about it, especially when it is something you have noticed and thought about a lot. [FORMAL]

[V that] We observe that the first calls for radical transformation did not begin until the period of the industrial revolution...

[V with quote] `He is a fine young man,' observed Stephen.

4) VERB If you observe something such as a law or custom, you obey it or follow it.

[V n] Imposing speed restrictions is easy, but forcing motorists to observe them is trickier...

[V n] The army was observing a ceasefire...

[V n] American forces are observing Christmas quietly.

Syn:

English dictionary. 2008.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?
Synonyms:

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

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”