I.fut. perf. observasso, Plaut. Mil. 2, 3, 57), v. a.
I. In gen., to watch, note, heed, observe a thing; to take notice of, pay attention to (class.; “syn.: animadverto, attendo): ne me observare possis, quid rerum geram,” Plaut. Aul. 1, 1, 14: “quid ille faciat, ne id observes,” id. Men. 5, 2, 38: “fetus,” to watch for, seek to catch, Verg. G. 4, 512: “lupus observavit, dum dormitarent canes,” watched, waited, Plaut. Trin. 1, 2, 133: “occupationem alicujus, et aucupari tempus,” to watch in order to take advantage of, Cic. Rosc. Am. 8, 22: “si iniquitates observaveris, Domine,” Vulg. Psa. 129, 3: tempus epistulae alicui reddendae, to watch or wait for, Cic. Fam. 11, 16, 1: “et insidiari,” to be on the watch, id. Or. 62, 210: observavit sedulo, ut praetor indiceret, etc., took care that, etc., Suet. Claud. 22.—So pass. impers.: “observatum est, ne quotiens introiret urbem, supplicium de quoquam sumeretur,” Suet. Aug. 57 fin.: “observans Acerroniae necem,” observing, perceiving, Tac. A. 14, 6: “postquam poëta sensit, scripturam suam Ab iniquis observari,” to be scrutinized, Ter. Ad. prol. 1: “sese,” to keep a close watch over one's self, Cic. Brut. 82, 283.—
II. In partic.
A. To watch, guard, keep any thing: “januam,” Plaut. As. 2, 2, 7: “fores,” id. Mil. 2, 3, 57: “greges,” Ov. M. 1, 513: draconem, auriferam obtutu observantem arborem, Poët. ap. Cic. Tusc. 2, 9, 22; Sen. Hippol. 223.—
B. To observe, respect, regard, attend to, heed, keep, comply with a law, precept, recommendation, etc.: “leges,” Cic. Off. 2, 11, 40: “censoriam animadversionem,” id. Clu. 42, 117: “praeceptum diligentissime,” Caes. B. G. 5, 35: “imperium,” Sall. J. 80, 2: “foedus,” Sil. 17, 78: “centesimas,” to adhere to, Cic. Att. 5, 21, 11: “commendationes,” to attend to, regard, id. Fam. 13, 27, 1: “auspicia,” Tac. G. 9: “diem concilii,” Liv. 1, 50, 6: “ordines,” to keep in the ranks, Sall. J. 51, 1.—Pass.: “id ab omnibus,” Just. 21, 4, 5.—
C. To pay attention or respect to; to respect, regard, esteem, honor one (syn.: “veneror, revereor): tribules suos,” Cic. Planc. 18, 45: “regem,” Verg. G. 4, 210: “me, ut alterum patrem, et observat, et diligit,” Cic. Fam. 5, 8, 4: “et colere aliquem,” id. Att. 2, 19, 5: “aliquem perofficiose et amanter,” id. ib. 9, 20, 3: “clarissimus et nobis observandus vir,” Front. Ep. ad Anton. p. 4.—
D. Observare se a quā re = se abstinere, Vulg. Judic. 13, 12.—
E. To observe, notice, perceive (eccl. Lat.): “Amasa non observavit gladium,” Vulg. 2 Reg. 20, 10.—Hence,
A. Watchful, regardful, observant.—Comp.: “observantior aequi Fit populus,” Claud. IV. Cons. Hon. 296.—Sup.: “observantissimus omnium officiorum,” Plin. Ep. 7, 30, 1; 10, 11, 1: observantissima lex suorum itinerum, App. de Mundo, 33 fin.—
B. Attentive, respectful: “homo tui observans,” Cic. Quint. 11, 39; Charis. 77 P.: “observantissimus mei homo,” Cic. Q. Fr. 1, 2, 3, § 11; id. Fam. 13, 3 init. —Hence, adv.: observanter , carefully, sedulously (post-class.): “sequi,” Macr. Somn. Scip. 1, 1, § 7; App. Mag. p. 320, 11.—Comp.: “observantius,” Amm. 23, 6, 79.—Sup.: “aliquid observantissime vitare,” Gell. 10, 21.—
2. observātē , adv., observantly, carefully, perspicaciously (postclass.): “observate curioseque animadvertit M. Tullius,” Gell. 2, 17, 1.
