See Also: observe(dictionary)
observe(dictionary)

observe (oh)



[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: observer, from Latin observare 'to guard, watch', from servare 'to keep']
[T not in progressive] formal to see and notice something
::Scientists have observed a drop in ozone levels over the Antarctic.
observe that
::It was observed that 40 percent of patients had high blood pressure.
observe sb doing sth
::Officers observed him driving at 90 miles per hour.
::Predators have been observed to avoid attacking brightly coloured species.
[I and T] to watch something or someone carefully
::The police have been observing his movements.
::One student performs the experiment, while his partner observes.
observe what/how/where
::Observe how the people in the group interact.
[T] formal to say or write what you have noticed about a situation
::'Sid looks ill,' Doherty observed.
observe that
::Keynes observed that humans fall into two classes.
[T] to do what you are supposed to do according to a law or agreement
-synonym obey obey
::So far the ceasefire has been observed by both sides.
[T] to do things and obey laws that are part of a religion or custom