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   ob·serv·ance

   /əbˈzərv(ə)ns/

   noun

   • 1. the action or practice of fulfilling or respecting the requirements of law, morality, or ritual: "strict observance of the rules" Similar riteritualceremonyceremonialcelebrationpracticeserviceofficefestivaltraditioncustomconventionusagehabitformalityformformal:praxis
   • ▪ an act performed for religious or ceremonial reasons: "official anniversary observances"
   • ▪ a rule to be followed by a religious order: "he drew up a body of monastic observances"
   • 2. the action of watching or noticing something: "the baby's motionless observance of me" Similar scrutinyobservationexaminationinspectionwatchingviewingeyeinglooking
   • 3. respect; deference: archaic "the tramp gave them no observance" Similar compliance withadherence toconformity toobedience toacquiescence inaccordance withrespect forkeepingobeyingobservationfulfillment offollowingperformancehonoringheedingarchaic:abidance byOpposite disregard

   Word Origin Middle English: via Old French from Latin observantia, from observant- ‘watching, paying attention to’, from the verb observare (see observe).

   Scrabble Points: 17

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