4 VERB To obscure something means to make it difficult to understand. □ [V n] …the jargon that frequently obscures educational writing. □ [be V -ed] This issue has been obscured by recent events.
ob|scu|rity /ɒbskjʊə r I ti/ (obscurities )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Obscurity is the state of being known by only a few people. □ Tom's showbiz career began when he was plucked from obscurity by director Stephen Daldry.
2 N‑VAR Obscurity is the quality of being difficult to understand. An obscurity is something that is difficult to understand. □ [+ of ] 'How can that be?' asked Hunt, irritated by the obscurity of Henry's reply.
ob|se|qui|ous /ɒbsiː kwiəs/ ADJ If you describe someone as obsequious , you are criticizing them because they are too eager to help or agree with someone more important than them. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Perhaps your mother was very obsequious to doctors. ● ob|se|qui|ous|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ He smiled and bowed obsequiously to Winger. ● ob|se|qui|ous|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ His tone quickly changed from obsequiousness to outright anger.
ob|serv|able /əbzɜː r vəb ə l/ ADJ Something that is observable can be seen. □ Mars is too faint and too low in the sky to be observable.
ob|ser|vance /əbzɜː r v ə ns/ (observances ) N‑VAR The observance of something such as a law or custom is the practice of obeying or following it. □ [+ of ] Local councils should use their powers to ensure strict observance of laws.
ob|ser|vant /əbzɜː r v ə nt/ ADJ Someone who is observant pays a lot of attention to things and notices more about them than most people do. □ That's a marvellous description, Mrs Drummond. You're unusually observant. □ An observant doctor can often detect depression from expression, posture, and movement.
ob|ser|va|tion /ɒ bzə r ve I ʃ ə n/ (observations )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Observation is the action or process of carefully watching someone or something. □ [+ of ] …careful observation of the movement of the planets. □ In hospital she'll be under observation all the time.
2 N‑COUNT An observation is something that you have learned by seeing or watching something and thinking about it. □ [+ about ] This book contains observations about the causes of addictions.
3 N‑COUNT If a person makes an observation , they make a comment about something or someone, usually as a result of watching how they behave. □ 'You're an obstinate man,' she said. 'Is that a criticism,' I said, 'or just an observation?'.
4 N‑UNCOUNT Observation is the ability to pay a lot of attention to things and to notice more about them than most people do. □ She has good powers of observation.
ob|ser|va|tion|al /ɒ bzə r ve I ʃən ə l/ ADJ Observational means relating to the watching of people or things, especially in order to learn something new. [FORMAL ] □ …observational humour. □ The observational work is carried out on a range of telescopes.
ob|ser|va|tory /əbzɜː r vətri, [AM ] -tɔːri/ (observatories ) N‑COUNT An observatory is a building with a large telescope from which scientists study things such as the planets by watching them.
ob|serve ◆◇◇ /əbzɜː r v/ (observes , observing , observed )
1 VERB If you observe a person or thing, you watch them carefully, especially in order to learn something about them. □ [V n] Stern also studies and observes the behaviour of babies. □ [V n v-ing] Our sniper teams observed them manning an anti-aircraft gun. [Also V , V n inf]
2 VERB If you observe someone or something, you see or notice them. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] In 1664 Hooke observed a reddish spot on the surface of the planet.
3 VERB If you observe that something is the case, you make a remark or comment about it, especially when it is something you have noticed and thought about a lot. [FORMAL ] □ [V that] When he spoke, it was to observe that the world was full of criminals. □ [V with quote] 'He is a fine young man,' observed Stephen.
4 VERB If you observe something such as a law or custom, you obey it or follow it. □ [V n] Imposing speed restrictions is easy, but forcing motorists to observe them is trickier. □ [V n] The army was observing a ceasefire. SYNONYMS observe VERB 1
watch: The man was standing in his doorway watching him.
study: Debbie studied her friend's face for a moment.
look at: She turned to look at him.
ob|serv|er ◆◇◇ /əbzɜː r və r / (observers )
1 N‑COUNT You can refer to someone who sees or notices something as an observer . □ A casual observer would have taken them to be three men out for an evening stroll. □ Observers say the woman pulled a knife out of the bunch of flowers and stabbed him in the neck.
2 N‑COUNT An observer is someone who studies current events and situations, especially in order to comment on them and predict what will happen next. [JOURNALISM ] □ Political observers believe that a new cabinet may be formed shortly.
3 N‑COUNT An observer is a person who is sent to observe an important event or situation, especially in order to make sure it happens as it should, or so that they can tell other people about it. □ The president suggested that a U.N. observer should attend the conference.
ob|sess /əbse s/ (obsesses , obsessing , obsessed ) VERB If something obsesses you or if you obsess about something, you keep thinking about it and find it difficult to think about anything else. □ [V n] A string of scandals is obsessing America. □ [V + about/over ] She stopped drinking but began obsessing about her weight. □ [V that] I started obsessing that Trish might die.