📖 O — The English dictionary · page 3

observed — Everyday, meaning 1: Watched or looked at carefully, often to learn something.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Noticed or saw something.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: (formal) Said or remarked.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: Obeyed a rule or kept a custom (observed the speed limit, observed a minute's silence).↗ Example: We observed the caterpillar every day.↗ · I observed that the ice melted faster in the sun.↗ · Write down what you observed.↗ · «It's getting late,» she observed.↗ · The class observed a minute's silence.↗ · Drivers observed the speed limit near the school.↗ · The birds were observed in the garden at dawn.↗ · "It is terribly warm here!" he observed.↗ · And Laban said unto him: 'If now I have found favour in thine eyes — I have observed the signs, and the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake.'↗ (Torah GEN.30.27, JPS 1917)↗ · Who said of his father, and of his mother: 'I have not seen him'; neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew he his own children; for they have observed Thy word, and keep Thy covenant.↗ (Torah DEU.33.9, JPS 1917)↗ · "When Abraham our father arose, he looked nnd saw and investigated and observed and engraved and hewed and combin- ed and formed and calculated, and his creation was successful.↗ (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914))↗ · My soul hath observed Thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.↗ (Writings PSA.119.167, JPS 1917)↗ · I have remembered Thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have observed Thy law.↗ (Writings PSA.119.55, JPS 1917)↗ · I have observed Thy precepts and Thy testimonies; for all my ways are before Thee.↗ (Writings PSA.119.168, JPS 1917)↗

observer — Everyday, meaning 1: A person who watches something carefully, often to learn or to report.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A person who watches an event but does not take part, for example at a meeting or an election.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: A person who notices things well: a good observer.↗ Example: A good scientist is a careful observer.↗ · The observer wrote notes about the birds at the feeder.↗ · Observers watched the vote to make sure it was fair.↗ · To a casual observer, the twins look the same.↗ · She sat as an observer at the council meeting.↗ · The observer on the hill could see the whole race.↗

obsessed — Everyday, meaning 1: Thinking about something or someone all the time, so it fills your mind.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (informal) Loving something very much, as in "I'm obsessed with this song".↗ Everyday, meaning 3: (health) Troubled by thoughts that keep coming back and are hard to stop.↗ Example: My little brother is obsessed with dinosaurs.↗ · I'm obsessed with this new song!↗ · The detective was obsessed with solving the case.↗ · She's obsessed with keeping her room tidy.↗ · He became obsessed with winning and forgot to have fun.↗ · Some people are obsessed with their phones.↗ · The scientist was obsessed by one question.↗

obsidian — Everyday, meaning 1: Obsidian is a hard, shiny black (or dark) natural glass that forms when lava from a volcano cools very quickly.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Obsidian was used long ago to make very sharp knives, arrowheads and mirrors.↗ Example: Obsidian is black volcanic glass.↗ · Obsidian forms when lava cools very quickly.↗ · Ancient people made sharp arrowheads from obsidian.↗ · The museum had an Aztec mirror made of obsidian.↗ · In Minecraft you need obsidian to build a portal.↗ · Obsidian is an igneous rock.↗

obsolete — Everyday, meaning 1: Obsolete means no longer used because something newer or better has replaced it.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: An obsolete word, rule or law is out of date and not used any more.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: In biology, an obsolete body part is one that has become very small or no longer works.↗ Example: Floppy disks are obsolete; nobody uses them for homework now.↗ · Smartphones made many old gadgets obsolete.↗ · That word is obsolete, so you will only find it in very old books.↗ · Will paper money become obsolete one day?↗ · Grandad still has an obsolete video player in the loft.↗ · Old maps can become obsolete when new roads are built.↗ · The rule was obsolete, so the school removed it.↗

obstacle — Everyday, meaning 1: Something in your way that stops you or makes it hard to go forward.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A problem or difficulty that makes it hard to do something.↗ Example: We ran an obstacle course on sports day.↗ · A fallen tree was an obstacle on the path.↗ · The horse jumped over every obstacle.↗ · Not speaking English was an obstacle at first, but she learned fast.↗ · Robots use sensors to avoid obstacles.↗ · Clear any obstacles from the stairs so no one trips.↗ · The hero had to overcome many obstacles.↗ · 'You thought that love would conquer all obstacles,' said he; 'well, you have found it hasn't!↗ · However, that may be, I hope I have at least succeeded in removing some obstacles to a better understanding of the Sefer Yetzira and the Pythafrorean philosophy and their relation to each other.↗ (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914))↗

obstinacy — Everyday, meaning 1: The state of refusing to change your mind or give in, even when you should.↗ Example: His obstinacy got him into trouble.↗ · Her obstinacy made her refuse to eat.↗ · Through his own obstinacy he lost the game.↗

obstinate — Everyday, meaning 1: Stubborn; refusing to change your mind or to do as you are told.↗ Example: Don't be obstinate; just try it.↗ · The obstinate goat would not move.↗ · He was obstinate and would not say sorry.↗ · But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him; for the LORD thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that He might deliver him into thy hand, as appeareth this day.↗ (Torah DEU.2.30, JPS 1917)↗ · Because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass; (Prophets ISA.48.4, JPS 1917)↗

obstinately — In Jewish tradition, meaning 1: In a stubborn way, refusing to change or give way.↗ Example: He obstinately refused to eat his peas.↗ · The donkey stood obstinately in the road.↗ · She obstinately kept her answer.↗

obstruct — Everyday, meaning 1: To block a road, path, pipe or opening so things cannot pass.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: To block a view.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: To try to stop something happening or to make it hard (obstruct the police).↗ Everyday, meaning 4: (sport) To block another player unfairly.↗ Example: Don't leave bags where they obstruct the fire exit.↗ · A fallen tree obstructed the road.↗ · The tall man obstructed my view of the stage.↗ · Food can obstruct the airway, so chew well.↗ · He was penalised for obstructing another player.↗ · Parked cars must not obstruct the school gate.↗

obstruction — Everyday, meaning 1: An obstruction is something that blocks a road, path, pipe or passage so that things cannot get through.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Obstruction is the act of stopping or delaying something on purpose.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: (sport) In football, hockey and other games, obstruction is illegally blocking an opponent with your body.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: (law) Obstruction of justice means trying to stop the police or a court from doing their job.↗ Example: A fallen tree caused an obstruction on the road.↗ · Keep the fire exit free from any obstruction.↗ · The plumber cleared an obstruction from the drain.↗ · The referee gave a free kick for obstruction.↗ · Bags in the corridor are an obstruction and someone could trip.↗ · The doctor checked whether there was an obstruction in the dog's throat.↗ · Lying to the police can be obstruction of justice.↗

obtain — Everyday, meaning 1: (formal) To get something, especially by effort or by asking.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (formal, rare) To exist or be in use (of rules).↗ Example: She obtained 18 points out of 20.↗ · You must obtain permission before you leave.↗ · The results obtained in the test were surprising.↗ · Where can I obtain a library card?↗ · Add the numbers to obtain the total.↗ · The scientist obtained a sample of sea water.↗ · He obtained what he wanted, and flew away.↗ · The number 242 is obtained by adding together all the numbers from i to 22.↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893)↗ · The number 32 is obtained thus — 2 X2X2X2X2 = 32, Laib, LB as a Hebrew word, means the Heart of Man.↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893)↗ · To obtain the full value of this Treatise, it should be studied hand in hand with Hermetic Rituals, the " Isiac Tablet ", and with a complete set of the Tarot designs.↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893)↗ · A gracious woman obtaineth honour; and strong men obtain riches.↗ (Writings PRO.11.16, JPS 1917)↗ · And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.↗ (Writings EST.2.15, JPS 1917)↗ · He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy.↗ (Writings PRO.28.13, JPS 1917)↗

obtainable — Everyday, meaning 1: (formal) Obtainable means able to be got or bought.↗ e.g. "the tickets are obtainable from the office".↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Obtainable can mean possible to reach.↗ e.g. "the highest obtainable score".↗ Example: Forms are obtainable from the school office.↗ · The highest obtainable score is 100.↗ · Fresh fish is easily obtainable at the harbour.↗ · This medicine is only obtainable from a chemist.↗ · Water was hard to obtain in the desert, but not unobtainable.↗ · Is this toy still obtainable in the shops?↗

obtuseness — Everyday, meaning 1: Slowness to understand things; not noticing what is obvious.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (maths, rare) The quality of being an obtuse angle, wider than a right angle.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: Bluntness, not being sharp or pointed.↗ Example: Her obtuseness made the joke fall flat.↗ · Badger sighed at Toad's obtuseness.↗ · His obtuseness about the hints was annoying.↗ · The teacher explained the obtuseness of the angle by comparing it with a right angle.↗ · Was it real obtuseness, or was he pretending not to understand?↗ · The obtuseness of the old knife made it useless for cutting.↗

obviate — Everyday, meaning 1: (formal) To remove a need or a problem, so that something is no longer necessary, as in "This obviates the need for…".↗ Example: The new bridge obviates the need for a ferry.↗ · Labelling the boxes obviated any confusion.↗ · A good plan obviates the need for rushing.↗ · Wearing a helmet does not obviate the need to ride carefully.↗ · The calculator obviates the need for long division.↗ · Online forms obviate the need for paper.↗

obviating — Everyday, meaning 1: (formal) Removing a need or problem, so that something is no longer necessary.↗ Example: The new lift is obviating the need for stairs.↗ · The plan aimed at obviating any delay.↗ · The app saves time by obviating paperwork.↗ · Solar panels are obviating the need for a generator.↗ · By obviating the risk, the rule kept everyone safe.↗ · Checking twice means obviating silly mistakes.↗

obvious — Everyday, meaning 1: Easy to see, notice or understand; clear to everyone.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Too easy or expected; not clever (an obvious joke).↗ Example: It's obvious that the dog wants a walk.↗ · The answer seemed obvious, but it was wrong.↗ · There was an obvious crack in the glass.↗ · He's the obvious choice for team captain.↗ · Sorry to state the obvious, but it's raining.↗ · The mistake was obvious once I checked it.↗ · with the exception of the word תהו because it is obvious from "Yezirah," Chap.↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877)↗

obviously — Everyday, meaning 1: In a way that is easy to see or understand; clearly.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Used in talk to mean "of course" or "as you know" (Obviously, I said yes!).↗ Everyday, meaning 3: (informal) Said in a cross or sarcastic way when something should be clear (Obviously!).↗ Example: He was obviously tired after the match.↗ · Obviously, you need to wear a helmet.↗ · The cake was obviously burnt.↗ · "Did you like it?" "↗ Obviously!"↗ · She obviously knew the answer.↗ · Obviously not — I'd never do that!↗ · The story is obviously a favourite one among the Celts.↗ · Although the greater part of this passage is obviously spu- rious, attributing, as it does, to Joseph ben Uziel works of other authors, it may be authentic with regard to the Sefer Yetzirah, which heads the list.↗ (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914))↗

occasion — Everyday, meaning 1: A particular time when something happens (on this occasion).↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A special event or celebration (a birthday is a special occasion).↗ Everyday, meaning 3: (formal) A reason or cause (there is no occasion to worry).↗ Everyday, meaning 4: (formal verb) To cause something.↗ Example: We only eat cake on special occasions.↗ · On one occasion, the dog ate my homework.↗ · I've met her on three occasions.↗ · Wear your best clothes for the occasion.↗ · We go to the cinema on occasion.↗ · He rose to the occasion and scored the winning goal.↗ · (formal) His late arrival occasioned some delay.↗ · The palace was elegantly decorated for the occasion.↗ · As I live, saith the Lord GOD, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel.↗ (Prophets EZK.18.3, JPS 1917)↗ · But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the LORD; for he sought an occasion against the Philistines.↗ (Prophets JDG.14.4, JPS 1917)↗ · And whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of thy God, which thou shalt have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure-house.↗ (Writings EZR.7.20, JPS 1917)↗

occasional — Everyday, meaning 1: Occasional means happening sometimes, but not often or regularly.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Occasional can describe something made for a special event, like occasional music.↗ Example: We will have occasional showers this afternoon.↗ · I like the occasional ice cream.↗ · He makes the occasional mistake.↗ · We get an occasional visit from my cousins.↗ · Fruit is good every day; cake is an occasional treat.↗ · The road has only occasional traffic.↗ · There was little sound to be heard but the clang of weapons, an occasional screech or splash, and Slightly monotonously counting—five—six—seven—eight—nine—ten—eleven.↗