observant

• POS: Adjective
• HYPHEN: ob=ser=vant

CIDE DICTIONARY

observant, a. [L. observans, -anits, p. pr. of observare: cf. F. observant. See Observe.].

•  Taking notice; viewing or noticing attentively; watchful; carefully attentive; as, an observant spectator; observant habits.  [1913 Webster]

  "Wandering from clime to clime observant stray'd."  [1913 Webster]
•  Submissively attentive; obediently watchful; regardful; mindful; obedient (to); -- with of, as, to be observant of rules.  [1913 Webster]

  "We are told how observant Alexander was of his master Aristotle."  [1913 Webster]

observant, n. 

•  One who observes forms and rules.  Hooker.  [1913 Webster]
•  A sycophantic servant.  [1913 Webster]

  "Silly ducking observants,
  That stretch their duties nicely."  [1913 Webster]
•  An Observantine.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

observant, adj. & n.
--adj.
1 acute or diligent in taking notice.
2 attentive in esp. religious observances (an observant few).
--n. (Observant) a member of the branch of the Franciscan order that observes the strict rule.

Derivative

observantly adv.

Etymology

F (as OBSERVE)

THESAURUS

observant

Argus-eyed, active, advertent, agog, alert, all ears, all eyes, assiduous, attentive, aux aguets, awake, aware, careful, compliant, concentrated, conforming, conscientious, conscious, constant, custodial, deferential, devoted, devout, diligent, duteous, dutiful, eagle-eyed, earnest, ethical, faithful, finical, finicking, finicky, guarded, hawk-eyed, heedful, intense, intent, intentive, keen, keen-eyed, lidless, loyal, meticulous, mindful, moral, nice, niggling, obedient, observing, on guard, on the ball, on the job, on the lookout, on the watch, open-eared, open-eyed, openmouthed, perceptive, practicing, prudent, punctilious, punctual, regardful, respectful, scrupulous, sharp, sharp-eyed, shrewd, sleepless, thoughtful, true, vigilant, wary, watchful, wide awake, with open eyes

ROGET THESAURUS

observant

Observance

N observance, performance, compliance, acquiescence, concurrence, obedience, fulfillment, satisfaction, discharge, acquittance, acquittal, adhesion, acknowledgment, fidelity, exact, observance, observant, faithful, true, loyal, honorable, true as the dial to the sun, true as the needle to the pole, punctual, punctilious, literal, as good as one's word, faithfully, ignoscito saepe alteri nunquam tibi, tempori parendum, to God, thy country, and thy friend be true.

Clergy

N clergy, clericals, ministry, priesthood, presbytery, the cloth, the desk, clergyman, divine, ecclesiastic, churchman, priest, presbyter, hierophant, pastor, shepherd, minister, father, father in Christ, padre, abbe, cure, patriarch, reverend, black coat, confessor, dignitaries of the church, ecclesiarch, hierarch, ebdomarius, eminence, reverence, elder, primate, metropolitan, archbishop, bishop, prelate, diocesan, suffragan, dean, subdean, archdeacon, prebendary, canon, rural dean, rector, parson, vicar, perpetual curate, residentiary, beneficiary, incumbent, chaplain, curate, deacon, deaconess, preacher, reader, lecturer, capitular, missionary, propagandist, Jesuit, revivalist, field preacher, churchwarden, sidesman, clerk, precentor, choir, almoner, suisse, verger, beadle, sexton, sacristan, acolyth, acolothyst, acolyte, altar boy, chorister, Pope, Papa, pontiff, high priest, cardinal, ancient flamen, flamen, confessor, penitentiary, spiritual director, cenobite, conventual, abbot, prior, monk, friar, lay brother, beadsman, mendicant, pilgrim, palmer, canon regular, canon secular, Franciscan, Friars minor, Minorites, Observant, Capuchin, Dominican, Carmelite, Augustinian, Gilbertine, Austin Friars, Black Friars, White Friars, Gray Friars, Crossed Friars, Crutched Friars, Bonhomme, Carthusian, Benedictine, Cistercian, Trappist, Cluniac, Premonstatensian, Maturine, Templar, Hospitaler, Bernardine, Lorettine, pillarist, stylite, abbess, prioress, canoness, religieuse, nun, novice, postulant, prophet, priest, high priest, Levite, Rabbi, Rabbin, Rebbe, scribe, mullah, muezzin, ayatollah, ulema, imaum, imam, sheik, sufi, kahin, kassis, mufti, hadji, dervish, fakir, faquir, brahmin, guru, kaziaskier, poonghie, sanyasi, druid, bonze, santon, abdal, Lama, talapoin, caloyer, the Reverend, the very Reverend, the Right Reverend, ordained, in orders, called to the ministry.

Attention

N attention, mindfulness, presence of mind, intentness, intentiveness, alertness, thought, advertence, advertency, observance, observation, consideration, reflection, perpension, heed, heedfulness, particularity, notice, regard, circumspection, diligence, study, scrutiny inspection, introspection, revision, revisal, active application, diligent application, exclusive application, minute application, close application, intense application, deep application, profound application, abstract application, labored application, deliberate application, active attention, diligent attention, exclusive attention, minute attention, close attention, intense attention, deep attention, profound attention, abstract attention, labored attention, deliberate attention, active thought, diligent thought, exclusive thought, minute thought, close thought, intense thought, deep thought, profound thought, abstract thought, labored thought, deliberate thought, active study, diligent study, exclusive study, minute study, close study, intense study, deep study, profound study, abstract study, labored study, deliberate study, minuteness, attention to detail, absorption of mind, indication, calling attention to, attentive, mindful, observant, regardful, alive to, awake to, observing, alert, open-eyed, intent on, taken up with, occupied with, engaged in, engrossed in, wrapped in, absorbed, rapt, transfixed, riveted, mesmerized, hypnotized, glued to (the TV, the window, a book), breathless, preoccupied, watchful, breathless, undistracted, upon the stretch, on the watch, steadfast, interesting, engrossing, mesmerizing, riveting, Int, see!, look, look here, look you, look to it!, mark!, lo!, behold!, soho!, hark, hark ye!, mind!, halloo!, observe!, lo and behold!, attention!, nota bene, N, B, note well, I'd have you to know, notice!, O yes!, Oyez!, dekko!, ecco!, yoho!, this is to give notice, these are to give notice, dictum sapienti sat est, a word to the wise is sufficient, finem respice, Attention! Now hear this! Oyez!, Achtung, vnimanie, chui.