Ob`ser*va"tion (?), n. [L.
observatio: cf.F. observation.] 1.
The act or the faculty of observing or taking notice; the act of
seeing, or of fixing the mind upon, anything.
My observation, which very seldom
lies.
Shak.
2. The result of an act, or of acts, of
observing; view; reflection; conclusion; judgment.
In matters of human prudence, we shall find the
greatest advantage in making wise observations on our
conduct.
I. Watts.
3. Hence: An expression of an opinion or
judgment upon what one has observed; a remark. "That's a
foolish observation." Shak.
To observations which ourselves we make
We grow more partial for the observer's sake.
Pope.
4. Performance of what is prescribed;
adherence in practice; observance. [Obs.]
We are to procure dispensation or leave to omit the
observation of it in such circumstances.
Jer.
Taylor.
5. (Science) (a) The
act of recognizing and noting some fact or occurrence in nature, as
an aurora, a corona, or the structure of an animal.
(b) Specifically, the act of measuring, with
suitable instruments, some magnitude, as the time of an occultation,
with a clock; the right ascension of a star, with a transit
instrument and clock; the sun's altitude, or the distance of the moon
from a star, with a sextant; the temperature, with a thermometer,
etc. (c) The information so
acquired.
&fist; When a phenomenon is scrutinized as it occurs in nature,
the act is termed an observation. When the conditions under
which the phenomenon occurs are artificial, or arranged beforehand by
the observer, the process is called an experiment.
Experiment includes observation.
To take an observation (Naut.), to
ascertain the altitude of a heavenly body, with a view to fixing a
vessel's position at sea.
Syn. -- Observance; notice; attention; remark; comment;
note. See Observance.
