# observe

Pronunciation: say "uhb-ZURV" US /əbˈzɝv/, UK /əbˈzɜːv/

## Verb

1. To notice or look at something carefully, with close attention to detail.
   - Simple: To watch someone or something carefully and notice the small details.
   - _Detectives observe a suspect's body language for signs of deception._
   - _The researchers observed subtle changes in the animals' behavior over several months._
2. To make a remark or comment, often about something one has noticed.
   - Simple: To say what you have noticed or thought about something.
   - _'This approach rarely works,' the consultant observed._
   - _Critics observe that the policy has done little to reduce costs._
3. To follow or obey a custom, practice, or set of rules, especially those of a religion.
   - Simple: To follow the rules, customs, or practices of a group or religion.
   - _Devout members observe the Sabbath by refraining from work._
   - _The community observed the mourning customs for a full week._
4. To mark and celebrate a holiday or occasion, or to follow a particular system of time or calendar.
   - Simple: To mark a special day or holiday by celebrating or remembering it.
   - _Millions observe Ramadan with daily fasting from dawn to sunset._
   - _The region still observes standard time and never shifts its clocks._

## Noun

5. A remark, comment, or judgment that someone offers; an observation. *(archaic)*
   - Simple: A remark or comment about something you have noticed.

## Origin

Borrowed through Middle and Old French observer from Latin observō ("to watch"), formed from ob- ("before") plus servō ("to keep"), from Proto-Indo-European *ser- ("to guard"). It is cognate with Gothic sarwa ("weapons, armour") and Old English searu ("device").

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/observe (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).