observer English · revision 15013

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1555}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /əbˈzɜː.və/, US /əbˈzɝː.vɚ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from [[observe]] and [[-er]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ One who keeps a law, rule or custom: 1555 in the OED, the 1550s in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ One who watches and takes notice is from 1581,^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) and is the sense of many newspaper names.^(Etymonline) One who observes omens is from 1588,^(OED 1989) and an obsequious follower is an obsolete sense of 1601.^(OED 1989) A scientific observer of phenomena is from 1795.^(OED 1989) One who attends a meeting without taking part is by 1925,^(Etymonline) and one posted to a conflict to supervise a ceasefire from the same year.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1555 – one who keeps a rule.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1581 – one who watches.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1795 – a scientific observer.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1925 – an observer at a meeting or conflict.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A person who watches or notices something; an [[onlooker]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A delegate who attends a meeting or conference to watch and report, without voting.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A person who observes phenomena scientifically.^(OED 1989)

+ # A member of an aircrew trained to observe and identify; formerly, an aircraft spotter.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[observership]]

+ * [[interobserver]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[observable]]

+ * [[observance]]

+ * [[observant]]

+ * [[observation]]

+ * [[observational]]

+ * [[observatory]]

+ * [[observe]]

+ * [[conserve]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}