See Also: Observation(medicine)
observation(dictionary)
observation(dictionary)
conoscopic observation(medicine)
orthoscopic observation(medicine)
observation post(dictionary)
observation tower(dictionary)

observation (iou)



observation noun. LME.
[Latin observatio(n-), from observat- pa. ppl stem of observare: see OBSERVE verb, -ATION.]
= OBSERVANCE 1. LME.
W. J. Locke The daily calls to inquire after her health and happiness had grown to be sacred observation.
= OBSERVANCE 2. Now rare. LME.
G. Gorer Post-war rationing had weakened the general observation of the law.
a. The action or an act of observing or noting; Military the watching of an enemy's position, movements, etc.; the fact or condition of being noticed. M16.
J. Reed We were suddenly aware of observation, and looked up to encounter the..gaze of half a dozen..soldiers. Guardian He briefly escaped from a psychiatric hospital where he had been transferred for observation.
b. The faculty or habit of perceiving or taking notice. E17.
R. Rendell His powers of observation in general so sharp, were less acute than usual.
c. An act of augury or divination. E17-E18.
The careful watching and noting of an object or phenomenon for the purpose of scientific investigation; an instance of this; a measurement or other piece of information so obtained, an experimental result. M16.
W. Scoresby This observation was..made at a different hour almost every day. J. H. Masserman A..theory that cannot be verified by observation. Daily Colonist The physicists hope to make the first observation of 'quarks'.
b. spec. The measurement of the altitude of the sun (or other celestial object) used to find latitude or longitude; an instance of this. M16.
An utterance as to something observed; a remark, a comment. M16.
R. Carver I'm just saying we drink too much..It's just an observation.
An observed truth or fact; a thing learned by observing; a maxim gathered from experience. Now rare. M16.
C. Marshall It may prove an observation of some use, that trees..raised from seed grow the largest.
= OBSERVANCE 4. Only in 17.
Respectful or courteous attention; = OBSERVANCE 3. M17-E18.
Phrases: lunar observation: see LUNAR adjective. mass observation: see MASS noun2 & adjective. place of observation a place favourable for watching from or in. under observation being watched methodically; spec. (of a hospital patient) being monitored as to the symptoms, progress, etc., of a medical condition, esp. without specific treatment; (of a suspect) being kept under surveillance by the police etc.
Comb.: observation car (chiefly N. Amer.) a railway carriage designed to provide good views of passing scenery; observation officer Military = OBSERVER 4b; observation post Military a post for watching the effect of artillery fire etc.; observation-sentence Philosophy in a scientific theory, a sentence that reports, or directly relates to, observed phenomena; observation-statement an (utterance of) an observation-sentence; observation ward a hospital ward for patients under observation.