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observation

ob·ser·va·tion [ òbzər váysh'n ] (plural ob·ser·va·tions)


noun 
Definition:
 
1. paying attention: the attentive watching of somebody or something

2. observing of developments in something: the careful watching and recording of something, e.g. a natural phenomenon, as it happens

3. record of something seen or noted: the result or record of observing something such as a natural phenomenon and noting developments

4. remark or comment: a remark or comment on something that has been noticed

5. act of observing or obeying: the act of observing a religious occasion or ritual or of obeying a law or rule

6. navigation sighting with navigational instrument: a sighting with a navigational instrument to establish the observer's position in relation to an astronomical object such as the Sun

7. navigation navigational instrument reading: the reading taken from a navigational instrument that has been used to find the observer's position in relation to an astronomical object


ob·ser·va·tion·al adjective
ob·ser·va·tion·al·ly adverb

Word Usage

See observance.

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