observance
English edit
Alternative forms edit
- observancy (obsolete)
- observaunce (obsolete)
Etymology edit
From Old French observance, from Latin observantia. Equivalent of observe + -ance.
Pronunciation edit
- (General American) enPR: əb-zûrʹvəns, IPA(key): /əbˈzɝvəns/
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /əbˈzɜːvəns/
Audio (Southern England) (file) - Hyphenation: ob‧ser‧vance
Noun edit
observance (countable and uncountable, plural observances)
- The practice of complying with a law, custom, command or rule.
- The custom of celebrating a holiday or similar occasion.
- Observation or the act of watching.
- (religion) A rule governing a religious order, especially in the Roman Catholic church.
- (Can we add an example for this sense?)
- That which is to be observed.
- Reverence; homage.
Antonyms edit
Derived terms edit
Translations edit
practice of complying
|
the custom of celebrating a holiday
|
observation or the act of watching
(religion) a rule governing a religious order, especially in the Roman Catholic church
|
French edit
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
observance f (plural observances)
Related terms edit
References edit
- “observance”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.
Further reading edit
- “observance”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.