observance

(əb zʉrvəns)

noun

  1. the act or practice of observing, or keeping, a law, duty, custom, rule, etc.
  2. a customary act, rite, ceremony, etc.
  3. the act of observing, or noting; observation
  4. Archaic respectful attention; deference
  5. R.C.Ch.
    1. the rule observed by a religious order
    2. the order observing a specified rule

Origin: ME observaunce < OFr observance < L observantia, attention, regard, in LL(Ec), divine worship

See observance in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. The act or practice of observing or complying with a law, custom, command, or rule.
  2. The act or custom of keeping or celebrating a holiday or other ritual occasion.
  3. A customary rite or ceremony.
  4. The act of watching; observation: “Consider how much intellect was needed in the architect, and how much observance of nature” (John Ruskin).
  5. Roman Catholic Church The rule governing a religious order.

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