Ob`ser*va"tion (?), n.
[L. observatio: cf.F. observation.]
1. The act or the faculty of observing or taking notice; the act of seeing, or of
fixing the mind upon, anything.
My observation, which very seldom lies.
Shak.
2. The result of an
act, or of
acts, of observing; view; reflection; conclusion; judgment.
In matters of human prudence, we shall find
the greatest advantage in making wise observations on our conduct.
I. Watts. 3. Hence: An expression of an opinion or
judgment upon what one has
observed; a remark. "That's a foolish observation." Shak.
To observations which ourselves we make
We
grow more partial for the observer's sake.
Pope. 4. Performance of what is prescribed; adherence in practice; observance. [Obs.]
We are to procure dispensation or leave to omit the observation of it in such
circumstances.
Jer. Taylor. 5.
(Science) (a) The act of recognizing and noting some fact or occurrence in nature, as an
aurora, a corona, or the structure of an animal. (b)
Specifically, the
act of measuring, with suitable instruments, some magnitude, as the time of an occultation, with a clock;
the right ascension of a star, with a transit instrument and clock; the sun's altitude, or the distance of the moon from a star, with a sextant; the temperature, with a thermometer, etc.
(c) The information so
acquired.
&fist; When a phenomenon is scrutinized as it occurs in nature, the act is termed an
observation. When
the conditions under which the phenomenon occurs are artificial, or arranged beforehand by the observer, the process is called an experiment. Experiment includes observation.
To
take an observation (Naut.), to ascertain the altitude of a heavenly
body, with a
view to fixing a vessel's position at sea.
Syn. -- Observance; notice; attention; remark; comment; note. See Observance.
Hear it pronounced