ob|ser|va|tion

ob|ser|va|tion: ob|ser|va|tion «_OB zuhr VAY shuhn», noun, adjective.

–n.

1. the act, habit, or power of seeing and noting: »By his trained observation the doctor knew that the unconscious man was not dead.

2. the fact or condition of being seen; notice: »The spy avoided observation.

3. Often, observations. something seen and noted; data or information secured by observing: »The student of bird life kept a record of his observations.

4. th act of watching for some special purpose; study: »The observation of nature is important in science.

5. a remark; comment: »“Haste makes waste,” was Father's observation when I spilled the ice cream.

6. the process of measuring by a sextant or similar instrument the altitude of the sun or other heavenly body to determine the latitude and longitude of a ship or airplane.

7. Obsolete. observance.

–adj.

1. from which to observe: »an observation balloon. There were also observation towers which I was able to climb to look out across the forest and the mountains (Manchester Guardian).

2. within which persons or animals can be watched and studied: »an observation cell or ward equipped with one-way glass.

Usage Observation, observance are sometimes confused because both are related to the verb observe. Observation, connected with the meaning “watch closely,” applies especially to the act or power of noticing things or watching closely, or to being watched or noticed: »An observatory is for the observation of the stars.
Observance, connected with the meaning “keep,” applies to the act of keeping and following customs or duties, or to a rule or law, kept or celebrated: »You go to church for the observance of religious duties.
Observation is sometimes used in this sense, but this usage is now rare.

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ser|ra|tion — «seh RAY shuhn», noun. 1. a serrate edge or formation. 2. one of its series of notches. 3. a serrate condition … Useful english dictionary
ob´ser|va´tion|al|ly — ob|ser|va|tion|al «OB zuhr VAY shuh nuhl», adjective. of or based on observation, especially as contrasted with experiment: »observational evidence. –ob´ser|va´tion|al|ly, adverb … Useful english dictionary
ob|ser|va|tion|al — «OB zuhr VAY shuh nuhl», adjective. of or based on observation, especially as contrasted with experiment: »observational evidence. –ob´ser|va´tion|al|ly, adverb … Useful english dictionary
con|ser|va|tion|al — «KON suhr VAY shuh nuhl», adjective. of or having to do with conservation … Useful english dictionary
con|ser|va|tion — «KON suhr VAY shuhn», noun. 1. the action of conserving; preservation; protecting from loss or from being used up; avoidance of waste: »the laws of conservation in physics. The conservation of our mineral resources is important because they can… … Useful english dictionary
dis|ser|ta|tion — «DIHS uhr TAY shuhn», noun. a formal discussion of a subject. A university student who is working for a doctor s degree is required to write a dissertation. »He talked at length…giving a dissertation on his weight and dietetic virtues of tapioca… … Useful english dictionary
con|ser|va|tion|ist — «KON suhr VAY shuh nihst», noun, adjective. –n. a person who wants to preserve the forests, rivers, and other natural resources of a country: »President Theodore Roosevelt was an ardent forest conservationist. –adj. of or favoring conservation … Useful english dictionary
con·ser·va·tion — /ˌkɑːnsɚˈveıʃən/ noun [noncount] 1 : the protection of animals, plants, and natural resources wildlife conservation They are trying to raise money for conservation. the … Useful english dictionary
dis·ser·ta·tion — /ˌdısɚˈteıʃən/ noun, pl tions [count] : a long piece of writing about a particular subject that is done to earn an advanced degree at a university He wrote his dissertation on an obscure 16th century poet … Useful english dictionary
tion — ab·bre·vi·a·tion; ab·di·ca·tion; ab·duc·tion; ab·er·ra·tion; ab·er·ra·tion·al; ab·jec·tion; ab·junc·tion; ab·ju·ra·tion; ab·lac·ta·tion; ab·la·tion; ab·lu·tion; ab·mi·gra·tion; ab·ne·ga·tion; ab·o·li·tion; ab·o·li·tion·ary; ab·o·li·tion·dom;… … English syllables

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