observo Latin · revision 7570

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Plautus|origins=la servō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ɔpˈsɛr.woː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [obˈsɛr.vo]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''observō''' (present infinitive observāre, perfect active observāvī, supine observātum); first conjugation^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is from [[ob-]] “towards, against” and [[servō]] “to watch, keep”.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(TLL)^(Etymonline) It is also spelled ⟨opservō⟩, and Plautus has the archaic future perfect ⟨observāssō⟩.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The OLD's earliest citations are from Plautus, of keeping an eye on someone and of guarding.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant to watch with suspicion, keep one's eye on, to guard, as in Plautus, and in Cicero to watch for a chance to ensnare.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) From Cicero it meant to observe, note, especially omens and heavenly bodies, and in Pliny the Elder to notice natural species.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) From Varro it meant to abide by laws or agreements and to keep festivals.^(OLD 2012) In Cicero it meant to follow a method, to regard as important, and to pay court to, honour.^(OLD 2012) Döderlein lists it with words of respect, as ''vereor'' and ''venerārī''.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant to observe, watch, mark, note, regard.^(Stelten 1995) It survives in French ''observer'' and Italian ''osservare'', and through Old French it gave [[en|observe]] in the late 14th century, first “to hold to a rule of life”.^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of watching and guarding.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 116–27 BC – Varro uses it of keeping laws and festivals.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of observing omens.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * late 14th century – English ''observe'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To [[m|en|observe]], note; to make observations.^(OLD 2012)

+ # To watch, keep an eye on; to guard.^(OLD 2012)

+ # To watch for an opportunity.^(OLD 2012)

+ # To abide by, respect; to keep (a festival).^(OLD 2012)

+ # To follow (a method).^(OLD 2012)

+ # To regard as important; to esteem.^(OLD 2012)

+ # To pay court to, honour.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[observābilis]]

+ * [[observāns]]

+ * [[observanter]]

+ * [[observantia]]

+ * [[observātē]]

+ * [[observātiō]]

+ * [[observātor]]

+ * [[observātrīx]]

+ * [[observātus]]

+ * [[observītō]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[servō]]

+ * [[en|observe]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}