Definitions for Observance
əbˈzɜr vənsob·ser·vance

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. observation, observance, watchingnoun

   the act of observing; taking a patient look

2. ceremony, ceremonial, ceremonial occasion, observancenoun

   a formal event performed on a special occasion

   "a ceremony commemorating Pearl Harbor"

3. notice, observation, observancenoun

   the act of noticing or paying attention

   "he escaped the notice of the police"

4. honoring, observancenoun

   conformity with law or custom or practice etc.

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. observancenoun

   The practice of complying with a law, custom, command or rule

2. observancenoun

   The custom of celebrating a holiday or similar occasion

3. observancenoun

   Observation or the act of watching

4. observancenoun

   A rule governing a religious order, especially in the Roman Catholic church

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Observancenoun

   Etymology: observance, Fr. observo, Latin.

   1. Respect; ceremonial reverence.

   In the wood, a league without the town,
   Where I did meet thee once with Helena,
   To do observance on the morn of May. William Shakespeare.

   Arcite left his bed, resolv’d to pay
   Observance to the month of merry May. Dryden.

   2. Religious rite.

   Some represent to themselves the whole of religion as consisting in a few easy observances, and never lay the least restraint on the business or diversions of this life. John Rogers.

   3. Attentive practice.

   Use all th’ observance of civility,
   Like one well studied in a sad ostent
   To please his grandam. William Shakespeare, M. of Venice.

   If the divine laws were proposed to our observance, with no other motive than the advantages attending it, they would be little more than an advice. John Rogers, Sermon 1.

   4. Rule of practice.

   There are other strict observances;
   As, not to see a woman. William Shakespeare, L. Labours Lost.

   5. Careful obedience.

   We must attend our creator in all those ordinances which he has prescribed to the observance of his church. John Rogers.

   6. Observation; attention.

   There can be no observation or experience of greater certainty, as to the increase of mankind, than the strict and vigilant observance of the calculations and registers of the bills of births and deaths. Matthew Hale, Origin of Mankind.

   7. Obedient regard.

   Having had such experience of his fidelity and observance abroad, he found himself engaged in honour to support him. Henry Wotton.

   Love rigid honesty
   And strict observance of impartial laws. Wentworth Dillon.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Observancenoun

   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

2. Observancenoun

   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

3. Observancenoun

   servile attention; sycophancy

Matched Categories

1. • Attention
   • Conformity
   • Look

How to pronounce Observance?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say Observance in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of Observance in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of Observance in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5

Examples of Observance in a Sentence

1. William Henry Harrison:

   Far different is the power of our sovereignty. It can interfere with no one's faith, prescribe forms of worship for no one's observance, inflict no punishment but after well-ascertained guilt, the result of investigation under rules prescribed by the Constitution itself.

2. Calvin Coolidge:

   I sometimes wish that people would put a little more emphasis upon the observance of the law than they do upon its enforcement.

3. William Shakespeare, "Hamlet", Act 1 scene 4:

   But to my mind, though I am native here And to the manner born, it is a custom More honoured in the breach than the observance.

4. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov:

   The need for strict observance of the ceasefire was underlined.

5. President Harry Truman, Public Papers of the President of the United States: Harry S. Truman - 1951 U.S. Gov. 1966 p1063:

   Democracy is, first and foremost, a spiritual force, it is built upon a spiritual basis - and on a belief in God and an observance of moral principle. And in the long run only the church can provide that basis. Our founder knew this truth - and we will neglect it at our peril.

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