observe

ob|serve

W2 [əbˈzə:v US -ə:rv] v

[Date: 1300-1400; : Old French; Origin: observer, from Latin observare 'to guard, watch', from servare 'to keep']

1.) [T not in progressive] formal

to see and notice something

▪ Scientists have observed a drop in ozone levels over the Antarctic.

observe that

▪ It was observed that 40 percent of patients had high blood pressure.

observe sb doing sth

▪ Officers observed him driving at 90 miles per hour.

▪ Predators have been observed to avoid attacking brightly coloured species.

2.) [I and T]

to watch something or someone carefully

▪ The police have been observing his movements.

▪ One student performs the experiment, while his partner observes.

observe what/how/where

▪ Observe how the people in the group interact.

3.) [T] formal

to say or write what you have noticed about a situation

▪ 'Sid looks ill,' Doherty observed.

observe that

▪ Keynes observed that humans fall into two classes.

4.) [T]

to do what you are supposed to do according to a law or agreement

= ↑obey

▪ So far the ceasefire has been observed by both sides.

5.) [T]

to do things and obey laws that are part of a religion or custom