Observatory

Observatory
Observatory Ob*serv"a*to*ry, n.; pl. {Observatories}. [Cf. F. observatoire.] 1. A place or building for making observations on the heavenly bodies. [1913 Webster]

The new observatory in Greenwich Park. --Evelyn. [1913 Webster]

2. A building fitted with instruments for making systematic observations of any particular class or series of natural phenomena. [1913 Webster]

3. A place, as an elevated chamber, from which a view may be observed or commanded. [1913 Webster]

4. (Mil.) A lookout on a flank of a battery whence an officer can note the range and effect of the fire; usually referred to as an {observation post}. --Farrow. [1913 Webster +PJC]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • observatory — (n.) building for observing astronomical phenomena, 1670s (in reference to Greenwich), from Fr. observatoire, from observer (v.); see OBSERVE (Cf. observe) …   Etymology dictionary

  • observatory — ► NOUN (pl. observatories) ▪ a room or building housing an astronomical telescope or other scientific equipment for the study of natural phenomena …   English terms dictionary

  • observatory — [əb zʉrv′ə tôr΄ē] n. pl. observatories [ModL observatorium < pp. of L observare: see OBSERVE] 1. a) a building equipped for scientific observation, esp. such a building with a large telescope for astronomical research b) an institution for… …   English World dictionary

  • Observatory — This article is about scientific observatories. For the suburb of Cape Town, see Observatory, Cape Town. For other uses, see The Observatory (disambiguation). The Sphinx Observatory at the Jungfraujoch in the Swiss Alps; high altitude… …   Wikipedia

  • observatory — /euhb zerr veuh tawr ee, tohr ee/, n., pl. observatories. 1. a place or building equipped and used for making observations of astronomical, meteorological, or other natural phenomena, esp. a place equipped with a powerful telescope for observing… …   Universalium

  • observatory — Synonyms and related words: Cassegrainian telescope, Newtonian telescope, OAO, OSO, Texas tower, astronomical observatory, astronomical telescope, beacon, belvedere, bleachers, bridge, coelostat, conning tower, coronagraph, coronograph, gallery,… …   Moby Thesaurus

  • observatory — n 1. astronomical observatory, Orbiting Astronomical Observatory, OAO. 2. tower, watchtower, observation post, lookout Naut. crow s nest …   A Note on the Style of the synonym finder

  • observatory — UK [əbˈzɜː(r)vətrɪ] / US [əbˈzɜrvəˌtɔrɪ] noun [countable] Word forms observatory : singular observatory plural observatories a study centre or a building with a telescope which scientists called astronomers use to study the stars and planets …   English dictionary

  • observatory — [[t]əbzɜ͟ː(r)vətri, AM tɔːri[/t]] observatories N COUNT An observatory is a building with a large telescope from which scientists study things such as the planets by watching them …   English dictionary

  • observatory — noun (C) a special building from which scientists watch the moon, stars, weather etc: the Greenwich Observatory …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

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