Observant

Observant

Adjective · /əbˈzɜː.vənt/

Definition

Quick to notice things; watchful; perceptive; alert to what is happening; (in a religious context) strictly adhering to the rules and practices of a religion — an observant Jew, an observant Muslim.

Origin

From French observant and Latin observantem (observing, watching, attentive), present participle of observare (to watch over, to pay attention to, to comply with: ob- (over, towards) + servare (to watch, to guard, to keep — the same root as conservative, preserve, reserve, serve, and servant)). Observant therefore meaning one who is watching over, paying close attention. The religious sense — strictly following observances — developing from the same root: to observe being both to watch and to comply with (observe the Sabbath, observe a rule).