observation Hear it!

observation Definition

ob·ser·va·tion (äb′zər vā′s̸hən)

noun

  1. observance, as of laws, customs, etc.
    1. the act, practice, or power of noticing
    2. something noticed
  3. the fact of being seen or noticed seeking to avoid observation
    1. the act or practice of noting and recording facts and events, as for some scientific study
    2. the data so noted and recorded
  5. a comment or remark based on something observed
    1. the act of determining the altitude of the sun, a star, etc., in order to find a ship's position at sea
    2. the result obtained

Etymology: ME observacioun < L observatio, in LL(Ec), reverence, outward display

adjective

for observing

observation Synonyms

observation

n.

  1. The power of observing

    noticing, recognizing, view, regard, overlook, mark, consideration, heed, heedfulness, note, perception, measurement, estimation, conclusion, inspection, scrutiny, investigation, research, search, probe, check, detection, ascertainment, once-over*; see also acumen, sight 1.

    Antonyms indifference*, obstruction*, blindness. *

  2. A remark

    comment, note, remark, pronouncement; see remark. See syn. study at remark.

observation Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • galaxy: This is what you get if you make observations of distant galaxies.

Converse of object

  • confirm: The results confirm earlier, basic observations on deep ice cores and have led to new insights.
  • make: District Nurses in New Zealand have made similar observations.
  • explain: Even then dark energy is needed to explain the cosmic observations.

Adjective modifier

  • astronomical: Current astronomical observations can't really tell us whether the world really did have an infinite past or just a finite one.
  • empirical: It has no direct reference to any empirical observation.
  • careful: However with careful observation on site you will find the offside bank is still at the original level.
  • astute: Yet he makes some startlingly astute observations during discussion despite his penchant for drawing comparisons with science fiction.
  • preliminary: Breach of the implied obligation 65 Two preliminary observations must be made.
  • meteorological: The Commissioners then turned their attention to meteorological observations conducted in the United Kingdom.

Modifies a noun

  • hive: Beekeepers opening hives in the cold, ' spreading brood ' , filling observation hives, moving bees, removing honey... and Vandals.
  • deck: We also have a private observation sun deck for enjoying the sun or watching the native birds flying overhead.
  • tower: Worth a look Long Point, Big Creek: from the observation tower, you can walk around the marsh in a big circle.
  • lounge: There are plenty of public rooms and bars including Blue Riband, Goombay, Calypso, Junkanoo and an observation lounge.

Noun used with modifier

  • peer: Who should have ownership of the outcomes of peer observation?
  • classroom: Their findings reflect those of the general education classroom observation research.
  • participant: Moreover participant observation demands firsthand involvement in the social world chosen for study.
  • X-ray: These, and similar studies of the Sun, make use of UV, EUV and X-ray observations from satellites.
  • earth: We can now offer future customers even more capable satellite systems for Earth observation, communications and science missions.
  • satellite: You will also conduct comparisons between the numerical models and satellite observations of flows around sunspots and coronal activity above active regions.
observation Quotes

Religion isthetragedy of mankind† But I do know, from the inside as well as from personal observation, that religion appeals to something deep and irrational and strong within us, and that is what makes it so dangerous.

—Wilson, A(ndrew) N(orman)

Let observation with extensive view, Survey mankind, from China to Peru.

—Johnson, Samuel known as Dr Johnson

Observation is always selective. It needs a chosen object, a definite task, an interest, a point of view, a problem.

—Popper, Sir Karl Raimund

Early in life,Duveen†noticed that Europe had plenty of art and America had plenty of money, and his entire astonishing career was the product of that simple observation.

—Behrman, S(amuel) N(athaniel)

We must trust to nothing but facts. These are presented to us by Nature, and cannot deceive.We ought, in every instance, to submit our reasoning to the test of experiment, and never to search for truth but by the natural road of experiment and observation.

—Lavoisier, Antoine Laurent

   Science is the reduction of the bewildering diversity of unique events to manageable uniformity within one of a number of symbol systems, and technology is the art of using thesesymbol systemssoastocontrol and organize unique events. Scientific observation is always a viewing of things through the refracting medium of a symbol system, and technological praxis is always handling of things in ways that some symbol system has dictated. Education in science and technology is essentially education on the symbol level.

—Huxley, Aldous Leonard

'To every Form of being is assigned,' Thus calmly spake the venerable Sage, 'An active Principle:öhowe'er removed From sense and observation, it subsists In all things, in all natures.'

—Wordsworth,William

Atrue critic oughtto dwell rather uponexcellenciesthan imperfections, to discover the concealed beauties of a writer, and communicate to the world such things as are worth their observation.

—Addison,Joseph

Dans les champs de l'observation le hasard ne favorise que les esprits pre¤  pare¤  s. Where observation is concerned, chance favours only the prepared mind.

—Pasteur, Louis