- observatory
- observatory (n.) "building for observing astronomical phenomena," 1670s (in reference to Greenwich), from Fr. observatoire, from observer (v.); see OBSERVE (Cf. observe).
Etymology dictionary. 2014.
observatory
Look at other dictionaries:
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… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
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
