Main Entry: ob·serve

Pronunciation: \əb-ˈzərv\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): ob·served; ob·serv·ing

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French observer, from Latin observare to guard, watch, observe, from ob- in the way, toward + servare to keep — more at conserve

Date: 14th century

transitive verb 1 : to conform one's action or practice to (as a law, rite, or condition) : comply with
2 : to inspect or take note of as an augury, omen, or presage
3 : to celebrate or solemnize (as a ceremony or festival) in a customary or accepted way
4 a : to watch carefully especially with attention to details or behavior for the purpose of arriving at a judgment b : to make a scientific observation on or of
5 : to come to realize or know especially through consideration of noted facts
6 : to utter as a remarkintransitive verb 1 a : to take notice b : to make observations : watch
2 : remark, comment

synonyms see keep

— ob·serv·ing·ly \-ˈzər-viŋ-lē\ adverb