observatio Latin · revision 8163
16 Oct 2026, 15:34 by bogdan “New Latin entry (sources: de Vaan, OLD, Lewis & Short, TLL...)”
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+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Plautus|origins=la servō}}
+
+ ==Pronunciation==
+ * IPA (Classical): [ɔp.sɛrˈwaː.ti.oː]^(Wiktionary)
+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ob.serˈvat.t͡si.o]^(Wiktionary)
+
+ ==Forms==
+ '''observātiō''' ''f'' (genitive observātiōnis); third declension^(Wiktionary)
+ It is also spelled ''opservātiō''.^(OLD 2012)
+
+ ==Etymology==
+ It is from [[observō]] “to watch, observe” with the suffix [[-tiō]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==
+ The OLD's earliest citation is from Plautus, of keeping watch.^(OLD 2012) Köbler's first source is Cicero; he dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^(Köbler 2010)
+
+ ==Semantic evolution==
+ It meant watching as a precaution, surveillance, as in Plautus, and in Cicero observation, attention, and the observance of rules.^(OLD 2012) In Celsus it meant a usage, practice, in Pliny the Elder a remark, note, and in Seneca deferential attention.^(OLD 2012)
+
+ Medieval Latin used it for practice conforming to rules, and a rule, regulation.^(Niermeyer 1976) British Medieval Latin used it for watching omens or someone's arrival, and a note, observation.^(DMLBS) It survives in Italian ''osservazione'' and French ''observation'', and through Old French it gave [[en|observation]] in the late 14th century, first of performing a rite.^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Timeline==
+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of watching.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of attention and observance.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * late 14th century – English ''observation'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Meanings==
+ ===Noun===
+ # [[m|en|Observation]], attention.^(OLD 2012)
+ # Watching; [[m|en|surveillance]].^(OLD 2012)
+ # The observance (of rules); a usage.^(OLD 2012)
+ # A remark, note.^(OLD 2012)
+ # Deferential attention.^(OLD 2012)
+
+ ==Related words==
+ * [[observō]]
+ * [[servō]]
+ * [[en|observation]]
+
+ ==References==
+ {{reflist}}