observation

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English

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Etymology

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From Middle English observacion, borrowed from Middle French observacion. Also a borrowing from French observation and a learned borrowing from Latin observātiō(n-). Morphologically observe +‎ -ation

Pronunciation

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Noun

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observation (countable and uncountable, plural observations)

  1. The act of observing, and the fact of being observed (see observance)
  2. The act of noting and recording some event; or the record of such noting.
  3. A remark or comment.
  4. A judgement based on observing.
    • 2001 September 27, Terrie E. Moffitt, Avshalom Caspi, Michael Rutter, Phil A. Silva, Sex Differences in Antisocial Behaviour: Conduct Disorder, Delinquency, and Violence in the Dunedin Longitudinal Study[1], Cambridge University Press, →ISBN, page 151:
      This hypothesis goes by many names, including group resistence, the threshold effect, and the gender paradox. Because the hypothesis holds such wide appeal, it is worth revisiting the logic behind it. The hypothesis is built on the factual observation that fewer females than males act antisocially.
  5. Performance of what is prescribed; adherence in practice; observance.
    • 1651, Jer[emy] Taylor, The Rule and Exercises of Holy Living. [], 2nd edition, London: [] Francis Ashe [], →OCLC:
      We are to procure dispensation or leave to omit the observation of it in such circumstances.
  6. A regime under which a subject is routinely observed.
  7. Philosophically as: the phenomenal presence of human being existence.
  8. (stochastics) A realization of a random variable.

Derived terms

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Translations

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The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

See also

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French

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French Wikipedia has an article on:
Wikipedia fr

Etymology

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Borrowed from Latin observātiōnem. By surface analysis, observer +‎ -ation.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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observation f (plural observations)

  1. observation (careful or controlled attention or consideration)
  2. observation (the result of such attention or consideration)
  3. observation (process of detached, objective examination)
  4. (often in the plural) observation (the result of one of the above-described actions expressed in or rendered into words for the purpose of dissemination)
  5. observance of (adherence or conformity to) rules, conventions, laws, etc.
    Synonym: respect
  6. observance (performance) of religious rituals, customs, traditions, etc.
    Synonym: observance

References

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Interlingua

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Noun

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observation (plural observationes)

  1. observation (something that has been observed)
  2. observation (act or process of observing)
  3. observation (regime under which a subject is routinely observed)