Ob*serve" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Observed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Observing.] [L. observare, observatum; ob
(see Ob-) + servare to save, preserve, keep, heed,
observe: cf.F. observer. See Serve.] 1.
To take notice of by appropriate conduct; to conform one's
action or practice to; to keep; to heed; to obey; to comply with; as,
to observe rules or commands; to observe
civility.
Ye shall observe the feast of unleavened
bread.
Ex. xii. 17.
He wolde no such cursedness
observe.
Chaucer.
Must I budge? Must I observe you?
Shak.
With solemn purpose to observe
Immutably his sovereign will.
Milton.
2. To be on the watch respecting; to pay
attention to; to notice with care; to see; to perceive; to discover;
as, to observe an eclipse; to observe the color or
fashion of a dress; to observe the movements of an
army.
3. To express as what has been noticed; to
utter as a remark; to say in a casual or incidental way; to
remark.
Ob*serve", v. i. 1.
To take notice; to give attention to what one sees or hears; to
attend.
2. To make a remark; to comment; -- generally
with on or upon.
I have barely quoted . . . without observing
upon it.
Pope.
Syn. -- To remark. See Remark.
