observance Hear it!

observance definition

ob·serv·ance (əb zʉrv′əns)

noun

  1. the act or practice of observing, or keeping, a law, duty, custom, rule, etc.
  2. a customary act, rite, ceremony, etc.
  3. the act of observing, or noting; observation
  4. Archaic respectful attention; deference
  5. R.C.Ch.
    1. the rule observed by a religious order
    2. the order observing a specified rule

Etymology: ME observaunce < OFr observance < L observantia, attention, regard, in LL(Ec), divine worship

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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