/ əbˈzɜːv; NAmE əbˈzɜːrv/ verb (not used in the progressive tenses) ( formal )
1.
to see or notice sb/sth :
[ vn ]
Have you observed any changes lately?
All the characters in the novel are closely observed (= seem like people in real life) .
[ vn inf ]
The police observed a man enter the bank.
[ vn -ing ]
They observed him entering the bank.
[ v that ]
She observed that all the chairs were already occupied.
[ vn to inf ]
He was observed to follow her closely.
HELP NOTE : This pattern is only used in the passive.
➡ note at comment , notice
2.
to watch sb/sth carefully, especially to learn more about them
SYN monitor :
[ vn ]
I felt he was observing everything I did.
The patients were observed over a period of several months.
[ v wh- ]
They observed how the parts of the machine fitted together.
[ v ]
He observes keenly, but says little.
➡ note at look
3.
( formal ) to make a remark
SYN comment :
[ v that ]
She observed that it was getting late.
[also v speech ]
4.
[ vn ] to obey rules, laws, etc. :
Will the rebels observe the ceasefire?
The crowd observed a minute's silence (= were silent for one minute) in memory of those who had died.
5.
[ vn ] ( formal ) to celebrate festivals, birthdays, etc. :
Do they observe Christmas?
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (in sense 5): from Old French observer , from Latin observare to watch, from ob- towards + servare attend to, look at.