observation
UK: ˌɒbzəˈveɪʃən | US: ˌɑːbzərˈveɪʃən
n. the act of noticing or watching something carefully
n. a remark or comment based on something noticed
n. a formal or scientific record of data or phenomena
The word "observation" derives from the Latin observatio, meaning "a watching or keeping." It combines "observe" (from Latin observare, "to watch over, heed") and the noun-forming suffix "-ation." The root "serve" traces back to servare ("to keep, guard"), reflecting the idea of attentive watching. Over time, "observation" expanded from literal watching to include scientific scrutiny and analytical commentary.
Her keen observation of the bird’s behavior led to a groundbreaking discovery.
The doctor recorded his observations in the patient’s medical chart.
During the experiment, precise observation of temperature changes was crucial.
He made a humorous observation about the meeting’s awkward atmosphere.
Astronomy relies on careful observation of celestial objects.