n. [ F., fr. L. absentia. See Absent. ] 1. A state of being absent or withdrawn from a place or from companionship; -- opposed to presence. [ 1913 Webster ]

Not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence. Phil. ii. 12. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Want; destitution; withdrawal. “In the absence of conventional law.” Kent. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Inattention to things present; abstraction (of mind); as, absence of mind. “Reflecting on the little absences and distractions of mankind.” Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

To conquer that abstraction which is called absence. Landor. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ F., fr. absens, absentis, p. pr. of abesse to be away from; ab + esse to be. Cf. Sooth. ] 1. Being away from a place; withdrawn from a place; not present. “Expecting absent friends.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Not existing; lacking; as, the part was rudimental or absent. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Inattentive to what is passing; absent-minded; preoccupied; as, an absent air. [ 1913 Webster ]

What is commonly called an absent man is commonly either a very weak or a very affected man. Chesterfield. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Absent, Abstracted. These words both imply a lack of attention to surrounding objects. We speak of a man as absent when his thoughts wander unconsciously from present scenes or topics of discourse; we speak of him as abstracted when his mind (usually for a brief period) is drawn off from present things by some weighty matter for reflection. Absence of mind is usually the result of loose habits of thought; abstraction commonly arises either from engrossing interests and cares, or from unfortunate habits of association. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Absented; p. pr. & vb. n. Absenting. ] [ Cf. F. absenter. ] 1. To take or withdraw (one's self) to such a distance as to prevent intercourse; -- used with the reflexive pronoun. [ 1913 Webster ]

If after due summons any member absents himself, he is to be fined. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To withhold from being present. [ Obs. ] “Go; for thy stay, not free, absents thee more.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ LL. absentaneus. See absent ] Pertaining to absence. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of absenting one's self. Sir W. Hamilton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who absents himself from his country, office, post, or duty; especially, a landholder who lives in another country or district than that where his estate is situated; as, an Irish absentee. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state or practice of an absentee; esp. the practice of absenting one's self from the country or district where one's estate is situated. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who absents one's self. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an absent or abstracted manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state of being absent; withdrawal. [ R. ] Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Absent in mind; abstracted; preoccupied. -- Ab`sent-mind"ed*ness, n. -- Ab`sent-mind"ed*ly, adv. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality of being absent-minded. H. Miller. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. An A-B-C book; a primer. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

prop. n. Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906), Norwegian poet and dramatist.
Syn. -- Henrik Ibsen. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

prop. adj. of or pertaining to Henrik Ibsen. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

prop. n. The dramatic practice or purpose characteristic of the writings of Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906), Norwegian poet and dramatist, whose best-known plays deal with conventional hypocrisies, the story in each play thus developing a definite moral problem. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

a. [ L. inobservabilis : cf. F. inobservable. See In- not, and Observable. ] Not observable. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. inobservantia : cf. F. inobservance. ] Lack or neglect of observance. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. inobservans. See In- not, and Observant. ] Not observant; regardless; heedless. Bp. Hurd.

-- In`ob*serv"ant*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

n. [ Cf. F. inobservation. ] Neglect or lack of observation. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Mal- + observation. ] Erroneous observation. J. S Mill. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To observe inaccurately; to mistake in observing. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who misobserves; one who fails to observe properly. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Neglect or failure to observe or fulfill. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. obsecrated p. pr. & vb. n. obsecrating. ] [ L. obsecratus, p. p. of obsecrare, prop., to ask on religious grounds; ob (see Ob-) + sacrare to declare as sacred, from sacer sacred. ] To beseech; to supplicate; to implore. [ R. ]. Cockerman. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. obsecratio: cf. F. obsecration. ] 1. The act of obsecrating or imploring; as, the obsecrations of the Litany, being those clauses beginning with “By.” Bp. Stillingfeet. Shipley. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Rhet.) A figure of speech in which the orator implores the assistance of God or man. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Expressing, or used in, entreaty; supplicatory. [ R. ] Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. obsequens, p. pr. of obsequi; ob (see Ob-) + sequi. See Sequence. ] Obedient; submissive; obsequious. [ Obs. ] Fotherby. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Obsequiousness. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. pl. See Obsequy. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. obsequiosus, fr. obsequium compliance, fr. obsequi, fr. obsequi: cf. F. obséquieux, See Obsequent, and cf. Obsequy. ] 1. Promptly obedient, or submissive, to the will of another; compliant; yielding to the desires of another; devoted. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

His servants weeping,
Obsequious to his orders, bear him hither. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Servilely or meanly attentive; compliant to excess; cringing; fawning; as, obsequious flatterer, parasite. [ 1913 Webster ]

There lies ever in “obsequious” at the present the sense of an observance which is overdone, of an unmanly readiness to fall in with the will of another. Trench. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. [ See Obsequy. ] Of or pertaining to obsequies; funereal. [ R. ] “To do obsequious sorrow.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Compliant; obedient; servile. See Yielding. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. 1. In an obsequious manner; compliantly; fawningly. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. In a manner appropriate to obsequies. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Whilst I a while obsequiously lament
The untimely fall of virtuous Lancaster. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being obsequious. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Obsequies [ L. obsequiae, pl., funeral rites, fr. obsequi: cf. F. obsèques. See Obsequent, and cf. Obsequious. ] 1. The last duty or service to a person, rendered after his death; hence, a rite or ceremony pertaining to burial; -- now used only in the plural. Spencer. [ 1913 Webster ]

I will . . . fetch him hence, and solemnly attend,
With silent obsequy and funeral train. Milton [ 1913 Webster ]

I will myself
Be the chief mourner at his obsequies. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

The funeral obsequies were decently and privately performed by his family. J. P. Mahaffy. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Obsequiousness. [ Obs. ] B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. observabilis: cf. F. observable. ] 1. Capable of being observed; discernible; noticeable. Sir. T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

The difference is sufficiently observable. Southey. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Worthy of being observed; important enough to be noted or celebrated; as, an observable anniversary. [ PJC ]

3. Noteworthy; remarkable. [ PJC ]

-- Ob*serv"a*ble*ness, n. -- Ob*serv"a*bly, adv. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. observance, L. observantia. See Observant. ] 1. The act or practice of observing or noticing with attention; a heeding or keeping with care; performance; -- usually with a sense of strictness and fidelity; as, the observance of the Sabbath is general; the strict observance of duties. [ 1913 Webster ]

It is a custom
More honored in the breach than the observance. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An act, ceremony, or rite, as of worship or respect; especially, a customary act or service of attention; a form; a practice; a rite; a custom. [ 1913 Webster ]

At dances
These young folk kept their observances. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Use all the observance of civility. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Some represent to themselves the whole of religion as consisting in a few easy observances. Rogers. [ 1913 Webster ]

O I that wasted time to tend upon her,
To compass her with sweet observances! Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Servile attention; sycophancy. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Salads and flesh, such as their haste could get,
Served with observance. Chapman. [ 1913 Webster ]

This is not atheism,
But court observance. Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Observance, Observation. These words are discriminated by the two distinct senses of observe. To observe means (1) to keep strictly; as, to observe a fast day, and hence, observance denotes the keeping or heeding with strictness; (2) to consider attentively, or to remark; and hence, observation denotes either the act of observing, or some remark made as the result thereof. We do not say the observation of Sunday, though the word was formerly so used. The Pharisees were curious in external observances; the astronomers are curious in celestial observations. [ 1913 Webster ]

Love rigid honesty,
And strict observance of impartial laws. Roscommon. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Observance. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n.; pl. Observanda [ L. ] A thing to be observed. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. observans, -anits, p. pr. of observare: cf. F. observant. See Observe. ] 1. Taking notice; viewing or noticing attentively; watchful; carefully attentive; as, an observant spectator; observant habits. [ 1913 Webster ]

Wandering from clime to clime observant stray'd. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Submissively attentive; obediently watchful; regardful; mindful; obedient (to); -- with of, as, to be observant of rules. [ 1913 Webster ]

We are told how observant Alexander was of his master Aristotle. Sir K. Digby. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who observes forms and rules. [ Obs. ] Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A sycophantic servant. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Silly ducking observants,
That stretch their duties nicely. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (R. C. Ch.) An Observantine. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Fr. observantin. ] (R. C. Ch.) One of a branch of the Order of Franciscans, who profess to adhere more strictly than the Conventuals to the intention of the founder, especially as to poverty; -- called also Observants. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an observant manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

My observation, which very seldom lies. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The result of an act, or of acts, of observing; view; reflection; conclusion; judgment. [ 1913 Webster ]

In matters of human prudence, we shall find the greatest advantage in making wise observations on our conduct. I. Watts. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Hence: An expression of an opinion or judgment upon what one has observed; a remark. “That's a foolish observation.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

To observations which ourselves we make
We grow more partial for the observer's sake. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Performance of what is prescribed; adherence in practice; observance. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

We are to procure dispensation or leave to omit the observation of it in such circumstances. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

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; as, to record one's observations carefully. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

To take an observation (Naut.), to ascertain the altitude of a heavenly body, with a view to fixing a vessel's position at sea. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Observance; notice; attention; remark; comment; note. See Observance. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to observation; consisting of, or containing, observations. Chalmers. [ 1913 Webster ]

. A railway passenger car made so as to facilitate seeing the scenery en route; a car open, or with glass sides, or with a kind of open balcony at the rear. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

. A room or platform at a high point in a tall building with a broad view of the surrounding area. It is often an outdoor platform, but is sometimes indoors in a room with large windows to accommodate viewing. [ PJC ]

. (Mil.) a military outpost, usually at a height above the surrounding terrain, at or near the front line of a battle from which an observer may see the enemy's positions and direct artillery fire. [ PJC ]

a. Observing; watchful. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. ] 1. One who observes or takes notice. [ Obs. ] Sir M. Hale. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One who makes a remark. [ Obs. ] Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Observatories [ Cf. F. observatoire. ] 1. A place or building for making observations on the heavenly bodies. [ 1913 Webster ]

The new observatory in Greenwich Park. Evelyn. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A building fitted with instruments for making systematic observations of any particular class or series of natural phenomena. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A place, as an elevated chamber, from which a view may be observed or commanded. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Mil.) A lookout on a flank of a battery whence an officer can note the range and effect of the fire; usually referred to as an observation post. Farrow. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]