To take an observation(Naut.), 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.

Observational
(Ob`ser*va"tion*al) a. Of a pertaining to observation; consisting of, or containing, observations. Chalmers.

Observative
(Ob*serv"a*tive) a. Observing; watchful.

Observator
(Ob"ser*va`tor) n. [L.]

1. One who observes or takes notice. [Obs.] Sir M. Hale.

2. One who makes a remark. [Obs.] Dryden.

Observatory
(Ob*serv"a*to*ry) n.; pl. Observatories [Cf. F. observatoire.]

1. A place or building for making observations on the heavenly bodies.

The new observatory in Greenwich Park.
Evelyn.

2. A building fitted with instruments for making systematic observations of any particular class or series of natural phenomena.

3. A place, as an elevated chamber, from which a view may be observed or commanded.

4. (Mil.) A lookout on a flank of a battery whence an officer can note the range and effect of the fire. Farrow.

Observe
(Ob*serve") v. t. [imp. & p. p. Observed ; p. pr. & vb. n. Observing.] [L. observare, observatum; ob (see Ob-) + servare to save, preserve, keep, heed, observe: cf.F. observer. See Serve.]

1. To take notice of by appropriate conduct; to conform one's action or practice to; to keep; to heed; to obey; to comply with; as, to observe rules or commands; to observe civility.

Ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread.
Ex. xii. 17.

He wolde no such cursedness observe.
Chaucer.

Must I budge? Must I observe you?
Shak.

With solemn purpose to observe
Immutably his sovereign will.
Milton.

2. To be on the watch respecting; to pay attention to; to notice with care; to see; to perceive; to discover; as, to observe an eclipse; to observe the color or fashion of a dress; to observe the movements of an army.

3. To express as what has been noticed; to utter as a remark; to say in a casual or incidental way; to remark.

Observe
(Ob*serve"), v. i.

1. To take notice; to give attention to what one sees or hears; to attend.

When a phenomenon is scrutinized as it occurs in nature, the act is termed an observation. When the conditions under which the phenomenon occurs are artificial, or arranged beforehand by the observer, the process is called an experiment. Experiment includes observation.


  By PanEris using Melati.

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