Get Affordable VMs - excellent virtual server hosting


browse words by letter
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

observationmore about observation

observation

 

  2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Observation  \Ob`ser*va"tion\,  n.  [L.  observatio:  cf.F. 
  observation.] 
  1.  The  act  or  the  faculty  of  observing  or  taking  notice;  the 
  act  of  seeing,  or  of  fixing  the  mind  upon  anything 
 
  My  observation,  which  very  seldom  lies.  --Shak. 
 
  2.  The  result  of  an  act  or  of  acts  of  observing;  view; 
  reflection;  conclusion;  judgment. 
 
  In  matters  of  human  prudence,  we  shall  find  the 
  greatest  advantage  in  making  wise  observations  on 
  our  conduct.  --I.  Watts. 
 
  3.  Hence:  An  expression  of  an  opinion  or  judgment  upon  what 
  one  has  observed;  a  remark.  ``That's  a  foolish 
  observation.''  --Shak. 
 
  To  observations  which  ourselves  we  make  We  grow  more 
  partial  for  the  observer's  sake.  --Pope. 
 
  4.  Performance  of  what  is  prescribed;  adherence  in  practice; 
  observance.  [Obs.] 
 
  We  are  to  procure  dispensation  or  leave  to  omit  the 
  observation  of  it  in  such  circumstances.  --Jer. 
  Taylor. 
 
  5.  (Science) 
  a  The  act  of  recognizing  and  noting  some  fact  or 
  occurrence  in  nature,  as  an  aurora,  a  corona,  or  the 
  structure  of  an  animal. 
  b  Specifically,  the  act  of  measuring,  with  suitable 
  instruments,  some  magnitude,  as  the  time  of  an 
  occultation,  with  a  clock;  the  right  ascension  of  a 
  star,  with  a  transit  instrument  and  clock;  the  sun's 
  altitude,  or  the  distance  of  the  moon  from  a  star, 
  with  a  sextant;  the  temperature,  with  a  thermometer, 
  etc 
  c  The  information  so  acquired. 
 
  Note:  When  a  phenomenon  is  scrutinized  as  it  occurs  in 
  nature,  the  act  is  termed  an  observation.  When  the 
  conditions  under  which  the  phenomenon  occurs  are 
  artificial,  or  arranged  beforehand  by  the  observer,  the 
  process  is  called  an  experiment.  Experiment  includes 
  observation. 
 
  {To  take  an  observation}  (Naut.),  to  ascertain  the  altitude 
  of  a  heavenly  body,  with  a  view  to  fixing  a  vessel's 
  position  at  sea. 
 
  Syn:  Observance;  notice;  attention;  remark;  comment;  note. 
  See  {Observance}. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  observation 
  n  1:  the  act  of  making  and  recording  a  measurement 
  2:  a  patient  look  [syn:  {observance},  {watching}] 
  3:  a  remark  expressing  careful  consideration  [syn:  {reflection}, 
  {reflexion}] 
  4:  facts  learned  by  observing;  "he  reported  his  observations  to 
  the  mayor" 
  5:  the  act  of  noticing  or  paying  attention;  "he  escaped  the 
  notice  of  the  police"  [syn:  {notice},  {observance}] 
  6:  explicit  notice;  "it  passed  without  remark"  [syn:  {remark}]




more about observation