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Observance, 1) observation, the act of perceiving a thing and gaining notions by it: “take a taste of my finding him, and relish it with good o.” As III, 2, 247. “I take my young lord to be a very melancholy man. By what o.?” All's III, 2, 5. “out of his scattering and unsure o.” Oth. III, 3, 151. “or I have no o.” Ant. III, 3, 25.
2) the act of keeping or adhering to in practice: “are there no other tokens between you 'greed concerning her o.?” Meas. IV, 1, 42. “to do o. to a morn of May,” Mids. I, 1, 167 (== to observe its rites, cf. IV, 1, 137). “use all the o. of civility,” Merch. II, 2, 204. “a custom more honoured in the breach than the o.” Hml. I, 4, 16. Hence == rule of practice: “there are other strict --s,” LLL I, 1, 36. “degrees, --s, customs and laws,” Tim. IV, 1, 19.
Denoting a strict adherence to truth and reality: “such sweet o. in this work was had, that one might see those far-off eyes look sad,” Lucr. 1385. “with this special o. that you o'erstep not the modesty of nature,” Hml. III, 2, 21.
3) reverential attention, homage: “followed her with a doting o.” Wiv. II, 2, 203. “all adoration, duty and o.” As V, 2, 102. As V, 2, 102 “and ever shall with true o. seek to eke out that wherein my homely stars have failed,” All's II, 5, 79. “nor of them look for such o. as fit the bridal,” Oth. III, 4, 149 (Qq --s; F1 observancy). With of: “with due o. of thy godlike seat,” Troil. I, 3, 31. “without o. or respect of any,” II, 3, 175. to do o. == to do homage: “do o. to my mercy,” H4B IV, 3, 16.
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