observe English · revision 10248

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1386|origins=fro observer|origins=la observare|origins=ine-pro *ser-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /əbˈzɝv/; /əbˈzɜːv/, /ɒbˈzɜːv/ ''(UK)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English observen, [[bor|fro|observer|t=to observe, watch over, follow]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) from Latin observāre, to watch over, heed, attend to, guard, comply with,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from ob-, before, over, and servāre, to watch, keep safe (see [[conserve]]),^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Cresswell 2021) from PIE *ser-, to protect.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To hold to a course of conduct, to keep or follow in practice: about 1386 in the OED, about 1390 in Chaucer's ''Canterbury Tales'' in Barnhart.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ To keep a law or custom is from 1390,^(OED 1989) and to celebrate a religious rite duly from 1526.^(OED 1989)^(Hoad 1986) The meaning to see and note omens appeared in 1391,^(Barnhart 1988) but the general sense, to watch, perceive, notice, was not common until the mid-16th century.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) To say by way of remark is from the 17th century.^(Hoad 1986) ''Observable'' is from 1608.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1386 – to keep to a course.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1390 – to keep a law.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1391 – to note omens.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1526 – to celebrate a rite.^(OED 1989)

+ * mid-16th century – to watch, notice.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 17th century – to remark.^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To notice or perceive, especially through careful attention.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To watch attentively.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To make systematic or scientific [[observation]]s of.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To say casually; to [[remark]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To abide by a law or custom.^(AHD)

+ # To keep or celebrate a holiday or rite.^(AHD)

+ # To be present without taking part.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[observingly]]

+ * [[observance]]

+ * [[observant]]

+ * [[observation]]

+ * [[observational]]

+ * [[observatory]]

+ * [[observer]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[conserve]]

+ * [[preserve]]

+ * [[reserve]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ In Scots, observe also meant to watch or guard.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}