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observe

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Observe is defined as to celebrate, to see or watch.

(verb)

An example of to observe is to celebrate a specific holiday.
An example of to observe is to see a bird fly across the sky.
An example to observe is to watch a butterfly grow, take notes and write up a report on it.

See observe in Webster's New World College Dictionary

to adhere to, follow, keep, or abide by (a law, custom, duty, rule, etc.)
to celebrate or keep (a holiday, etc.) according to custom
1. to notice or perceive (something)
2. to pay special attention to
to arrive at as a conclusion after study
to say or mention casually; remark
to examine and study scientifically

Origin: 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

intransitive verb

to take notice
to comment or remark (on or upon)
to act as an observer

Related Forms:

observingly adverb

See observe in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb ob·served, ob·serv·ing, ob·serves

verb, transitive

To be or become aware of, especially through careful and directed attention; notice.
To watch attentively: observe a child's behavior.
To make a systematic or scientific observation of: observe the orbit of the moon.
To say casually; remark.
To adhere to or abide by: observe the terms of a contract.
To keep or celebrate (a holiday, for example): observe an anniversary.

verb, intransitive

To take notice.
To say something; make a comment or remark.
To watch or be present without participating actively: We were invited to the conference solely to observe.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English observen, to conform to

Origin: , from Old French observer

Origin: , from Latin observāre, to abide by, watch

Origin: : ob-, over; see ob-

Origin: + servāre, to keep, watch; see ser-¹ in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: