observed

1. 1
   verb

   Simple past and past participle of observe.

   Researchers observed unusual behavior in the animals during the eclipse.

   The patterns observed in the data surprised the entire team.

   Note

   One spelling serves as both the simple past and the participle, so the clause decides which it is. Standing alone, observed is the finite verb; in have observed and was observed it leans on its auxiliary. It carries every meaning of observe: noticing, obeying a rule, keeping a holiday, remarking. In scientific reporting the passive is the familiar shape, as in Aldrichimica Acta's "no reaction was observed." Keeping a holiday later hardened into a calendar label.

2. 2
   adjective

   Celebrated or formally marked on a date other than the usual one, treated as a special exception.

   Because the actual anniversary fell on a Sunday, the observed celebration moved to Monday.

   Government offices closed for the observed holiday rather than the calendar date.

   Note

   A calendar label that follows the holiday's name instead of preceding it: "Monday, July 2: Canada Day observed." It comes from the meaning of observe that is about keeping a holiday, and it marks the substitute day, here because July 1 fell on a Sunday. On schedules it typically sits beside the real date, so the reader sees both the nominal holiday and the day actually kept.

   Monday, January 2: New Year's Day observed.

   The office is closed Friday for Independence Day observed.

Showing meanings only. Show all 2