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| ob·serve [ əb zúrv ] (past and past participle ob·served, present participle ob·serv·ing, 3rd person present singular ob·serves) |
verb |
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| Definition: |
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1. transitive verb notice something: to see or notice something, especially while watching carefully
  You were observed entering the building.
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2. transitive and intransitive verb watch something attentively: to watch somebody or something attentively, especially for scientific purposes
I have been observing his movements for the last half hour.
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3. transitive and intransitive verb officially witness something: to be an official witness to something without taking an active part in it
A UN delegation was present to observe the signing of the treaty.
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4. intransitive verb be spectator: to watch something without taking part
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5. transitive verb comment on something: to make a comment or remark on something seen or noticed
"Your aim is definitely improving," she observed.
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6. transitive verb comply with something: to carry out or comply with something such as a law or custom
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7. transitive verb celebrate festival: to celebrate or keep a religious or traditional festival
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| [14th century. Via Old French observer< Latin observare "watch toward" < servare "to watch"] |
