observance
[uh b-zur-vuh ns]
- an act or instance of following, obeying, or conforming to: the observance of traffic laws.
- a keeping or celebration by appropriate procedure, ceremonies, etc.: the observance of the Sabbath.
- a procedure, ceremony, or rite, as for a particular occasion: patriotic observances.
- a rule or custom to be followed or obeyed; a customary practice.
- Roman Catholic Church.
- a rule or discipline for a religious house or order.
- a house or order observing a rule or discipline.
- an act or instance of watching, noting, or perceiving; observation.
- respectful attention or service.
- Archaic. courteous attention as to a person; dutiful service.
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Origin of observance
Synonyms
See more synonyms for observance on Thesaurus.com1. compliance, adherence, heedfulness.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for observance
Contemporary Examples
Even for Washington and Lincoln one observance day was enough.
“The observance of due process of law by the court was exemplary in this case,” says lawyer Minallah.
Historical Examples
By their observance, an earth of peace may become not a vision but a fact.
And the observance of this principle throughout a speech furnishes the whole art.
PhaedrusPlato
It is an electrum, and magic and the observance of the hour have nothing to do with it.
The Memoires of Casanova, CompleteJacques Casanova de Seingalt
He may even cheat the gods of their due if he is formally correct in his observance.
History of ReligionAllan Menzies
"You shall have all observance," he said with his sweetest smile.
Is He Popenjoy?Anthony Trollope
observance
- recognition of or compliance with a law, custom, practice, etc
- the act of such recognition
- a ritual, ceremony, or practice, esp of a religion
- observation or attention
- the degree of strictness of a religious order or community in following its rule
- archaic respectful or deferential attention
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for observance
n.
early 13c., "act performed in accordance with prescribed usage," especially a religious or ceremonial one, from Old French observance, osservance "observance, discipline," or directly from Latin observantia "act of keeping customs, attention, respect, regard, reverence," from observantem (nominative observans), present participle of observare (see observe). Observance is the attending to and carrying out of a duty or rule. Observation is watching, noticing.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper