different between observation vs acquaintance

English

Etymology

From Middle English observacion, borrowed from Middle French observacion. Also a borrowing from French observation and a learned borrowing from Latin observ?ti?(n-).Morphologically observe +? -ation

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /??bz??ve??(?)n/
• (General American) enPR: ?b'z?r-v??sh?n, -v?sh?n, IPA^(key): /??bz??ve???n/, /-?ve??n?/
• Rhymes: -e???n
• Hyphenation: ob?ser?va?tion

Noun

observation (countable and uncountable, plural observations)

1. The act of observing, and the fact of being observed (see observance)
2. The act of noting and recording some event; or the record of such noting.
3. A remark or comment.
   • 1734, Alexander Pope, Of the Knowledge and Characters of Men

     To observations which ourselves we make / We grow more partial for the observer's sake.

4. A judgement based on observing.
5. Performance of what is prescribed; adherence in practice; observance.
   • 1650, Jeremy Taylor, The Rule and Exercises of Holy Living

     We are to procure dispensation or leave to omit the observation of it in such circumstances.

6. A regime under which a subject is routinely observed.
7. Philosophically as: the phenomenal presence of human being existence.

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

See also

• observation on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

French

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin observ?ti?. Synchronically analysable as observer +? -ation.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?p.s??.va.sj??/

Noun

observation f (plural observations)

1. observation

Further reading

• “observation” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

Interlingua

Noun

observation (plural observationes)

1. observation (something that has been observed)
2. observation (act or process of observing)
3. observation (regime under which a subject is routinely observed)

English

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman aquaintaunce, aqueintance, Old French acointance (“friendship, familiarity”), from Old French acointer (“to acquaint”). Compare French accointance.

Morphologically acquaint +? -ance.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /??kwe?nt?ns/
• (US) IPA^(key): /??kwe?n.t?ns/

Noun

acquaintance (countable and uncountable, plural acquaintances)

1. (uncountable) A state of being acquainted with a person; originally indicating friendship, intimacy, but now suggesting a slight knowledge less deep than that of friendship; acquaintanceship. [from 12th c.]

   I know of the man; but have no acquaintance with him.

   • 1799, William Jones (translator), Hito'pade'sa, in The Works, Volume 6, page 22:

     Contract no friend?hip, or even acquaintance, with a guileful man : he re?embles a coal, which when hot burneth the hand, and when cold blacketh it.

2. (countable) A person or persons with whom one is acquainted. [from 14th c.]
3. (uncountable) Such people collectively; one's circle of acquaintances (with plural concord). [from 15th c.]
   • 1792, Mary Wollstonecraft, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, Penguin 2004, p. 230:

     Their mother […] was busy in the mean time in keeping up her connections, as she termed a numerous acquaintance, lest her girls should want a proper introduction into the great world.

4. Personal knowledge (with a specific subject etc.). [from 16th c.]

Usage notes

• Synonym notes: The words acquaintance, familiarity, and intimacy now mark different degrees of closeness in social intercourse. Acquaintance arises from occasional intercourse or interaction; as, "our acquaintance has been a brief one". We can speak of a slight or an intimate acquaintance. Familiarity is the result of continued acquaintance. It springs from persons being frequently together, so as to wear off all restraint and reserve; as, "the familiarity of old companions". Intimacy is the result of close connection, and the freest interchange of thought; as, "the intimacy of established friendship".

Synonyms

• familiarity, fellowship, intimacy, knowledge
• See also Thesaurus:acquaintance

Derived terms

• nodding acquaintance
• renew acquaintances

Related terms

• acquaint

Translations

References

• acquaintance in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• acquaintance at OneLook Dictionary Search