observe

Meaning

Verb

1. To notice or view, especially carefully or with attention to detail.
2. To follow or obey the custom, practice, or rules (especially of a religion).
3. To take note of and celebrate (a holiday or similar occurrence), to keep; to follow (a type of time or calendar reckoning).
4. To comment on something; to make an observation.

Noun

An observation (remark, comment or judgement).

Hyphenated as

ob‧serve

Pronounced as (IPA)

/əbˈzɜːv/

Etymology

From Middle French observer, from Old French observer, from Latin observō (“to watch”), from ob- (“before”) + servō (“to keep”), from Proto-Indo-European *ser- (“to guard”). Cognate with Gothic 𐍃𐌰𐍂𐍅𐌰 (sarwa, “weapons, armour”), Old English searu (“device”).

Sentences

The S . W . A . T . entry team used an optical wand to observe the proceedings behind the door .