01 n. The act or the faculty of observing or taking notice; the act of seeing, or of fixing the mind upon, anything.
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1.
The act or the faculty of observing or taking notice; the act of seeing, or of fixing the mind upon, anything.“My observation, which very seldom lies.” — Shak.
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2.
The result of an act, or of acts, of observing; view; reflection; conclusion; judgment.“In matters of human prudence, we shall find the greatest advantage in making wise observations on our conduct.” — I. Watts.
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3.
An expression of an opinion or judgment upon what one has observed; a remark.“To observations which ourselves we make We grow more partial for the observer's sake.” — Pope.
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4.
Performance of what is prescribed; adherence in practice; observance.[Obs.]“We are to procure dispensation or leave to omit the observation of it in such circumstances.” — Jer. Taylor.
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5.
The act of recognizing and noting some fact or occurrence in nature, as an aurora, a corona, or the structure of an animal.(Science)
Phrases & compounds
To take an observation —
to ascertain the altitude of a heavenly body, with a view to fixing a vessel's position at sea.
Syn.
Observance; notice; attention; remark; comment; note. See Observance.