ob·ser·va·tion /ˌɒbzəˈveɪʃən $ ˌɑːbzər-/ ●●○ W3 noun 1 [countableC, uncountableU]WATCH the process of watching something or someone carefully for a period of time 观察,注意;监视observation of Bloomfield’s approach to linguistics was based on observation of the language. 布龙菲尔德的语言学研究方法以对语言的观察为基础。
He spent two nights under close observation in hospital. 他在医院接受了两个晚上的严密观察。
His orders were to keep the men under observation. 他下的命令是监视这些人。
Art classes help develop children’s powers of observation. 美术课有助于提高儿童的观察力。
Careful observation suggests that this is not the case. 仔细观察的结果表明情况并非如此。
Detailed observations were carried out on the behaviour of the students. 对这些学生的行为作了细致观察。
From their direct observations, children absorb a model of marriage. 儿童通过直接观察来理解某一种婚姻的模式。
2 [countableC] something that you notice when watching something or someone 观察结果 Some interesting observations emerged from this research. 这项研究得出了一些有趣的结果。
3 [countableC]SAY a spoken or written remark about something you have noticed 〔对所注意到的事物的〕评述,评论observation on Darwin’s observations on the habits of certain birds 达尔文对某些鸟类习性的论述
observation about Paz makes some observations about the role of the critic. 帕斯论述了评论家的作用。
► see thesaurus at comment —observational adjectiveadj
n COLLOCATIONSphrasesbe under observation (=be in the process of being watched)The police said that the house had been under observation.
keep somebody under observation (=closely watch someone or something over a period of time)The doctor ordered that the patient be kept under observation.
somebody’s powers of observation (=someone’s abilty to watch things in a way that helps them learn and understand more)In the past, people used their own powers of observation to forecast the weather.
ADJECTIVES/NOUN + observationclose/careful/detailed observationA lot of useful knowledge is gained by careful observation of the world around you.
casual observation (=observation that is not done in a very careful or organized way)Even casual observation makes this theory improbable.
direct observationPiaget developed his theories based on direct observation of children.
personal observation (=watching and understanding something yourself, rather than hearing or reading about it)I knew cigarettes were addictive from personal observation.
scientific observation (=observation done for scientific purposes)Scientific observation led to the discovery of vaccines.
classroom observation (=observation of a teacher and children in a classroom)Classroom observation is only part of what school inspectors do.
observation + NOUNan observation post/point (=a place from where you can observe something)The peak of the mountain was a natural location for an observation post.
an observation deck/platform/tower (=a structure that is built in order to observe something)The army built an observation tower on the top of the building.
phrasesa period of observationThe hospital released him after a period of observation.