Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Having or showing keen perceptiveness; perceptive.
  • adjective Diligent in observing a law, custom, duty, or principle.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Watching; watchful; observing; having or characterized by good powers of observation, or attention, care, accuracy, etc., in observing: as, an observant mind; a man of observant habits.
  • Attentive; obedient; submissive; ready to obey and serve; hence, obsequious: with to or of before a personal object.
  • Carefully attentive in observing or performing whatever is prescribed or required; strict in observing and practising: with of: as, he was very observant of the rules of his order; observant of forms.
  • Synonyms and
  • Watchful, mindful, heedful, regardful.
  • noun An observer.
  • noun An obsequious or slavish attendant.
  • noun One who is strict in observing or complying with a law, rule, custom, etc.
  • noun [capitalized] Specifically, a member of the more rigorous class of Franciscans which in the fifteenth century became separated from those — the Conventuals — following a milder rule.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective Taking notice; viewing or noticing attentively; watchful; carefully attentive.
  • adjective Submissively attentive; obediently watchful; regardful; mindful; obedient (to); -- with of, .
  • noun obsolete One who observes forms and rules.
  • noun obsolete A sycophantic servant.
  • noun (R. C. Ch.) An Observantine.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective Alert and paying close attention.
  • adjective Diligently attentive in observing a law, custom, duty or principle.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective quick to notice; showing quick and keen perception
  • adjective (of individuals) adhering strictly to laws and rules and customs
  • adjective paying close attention especially to details

Etymologies

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