Observable
(Ob*serv"a*ble) a. [L. observabilis: cf.F. observable.] Worthy or capable of being observed; discernible; noticeable; remarkable. Sir. T. Browne.

The difference is sufficiently observable.
Southey.

Ob*serv"a*ble*ness, n.Ob*serv"a*bly, adv.

Observance
(Ob*serv"ance) n. [F. observance, L. observantia. See Observant.]

1. The act or practice of observing or noticing with attention; a heeding or keeping with care; performance; — usually with a sense of strictness and fidelity; as, the observance of the Sabbath is general; the strict observance of duties.

It is a custom
More honored in the breach than the observance.
Shak.

2. An act, ceremony, or rite, as of worship or respect; especially, a customary act or service of attention; a form; a practice; a rite; a custom.

At dances
These young folk kept their observances.
Chaucer.

Use all the observance of civility.
Shak.

Some represent to themselves the whole of religion as consisting in a few easy observances.
Rogers.

O I that wasted time to tend upon her,
To compass her with sweet observances!
Tennyson.

3. Servile attention; sycophancy. [Obs.]

Salads and flesh, such as their haste could get,
Served with observance.
Chapman.

This is not atheism,
But court observance.
Beau. & Fl.

Syn.Observance, Observation. These words are discriminated by the two distinct senses of observe. To observe means (1) to keep strictly; as, to observe a fast day, and hence, observance denotes the keeping or heeding with strictness; (2) to consider attentively, or to remark; and hence, observation denotes either the act of observing, or some remark made as the result thereof. We do not say the observation of Sunday, though the word was formerly so used. The Pharisees were curious in external observances; the astronomers are curious in celestial observations.

Love rigid honesty,
And strict observance of impartial laws.
Roscommon.

  By PanEris using Melati.

Previous chapter/page Back Home Email this Search Discuss Bookmark Next chapter
Copyright: All texts on Bibliomania are © Bibliomania.com Ltd, and may not be reproduced in any form without our written permission. See our FAQ for more details.