ˌɔbzə:ˈveɪʃən n. 1
the act or an
instance of noticing; the
condition of
being noticed. 2
perception; the
faculty of
taking notice. 3 a
remark or
statement,
esp.
one that is of the
nature of a
comment. 4 a the
accurate watching
and noting of
phenomena as
they occur in nature
with regard to
cause and
effect or
mutual relations. b the noting of the symptoms of a
patient, the
behaviour of a
suspect, etc. 5 the taking of the sun's or
another heavenly body's
altitude to
find a
latitude or
longitude. 6
Mil. the watching of a
fortress or
hostile position or movements. øobservation
car esp. US a
carriage in a
train built so as to
afford good views. observation post Mil. a post
for watching the effect of
artillery fire etc.
under observation being watched. øøobservational adj. observationally adv. [ME f. L observatio (as OBSERVE)]