different between observation vs disconfirmation

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

dis- +? confirmation

Noun

disconfirmation (countable and uncountable, plural disconfirmations)

1. (chiefly philosophy, uncountable) Introduction of evidence which conclusively establishes that a belief or hypothesis is not true or which diminishes the acceptability of a belief or hypothesis.
   • 1990, Donald P. Spence, "Theories of the Mind: Science or Literature?", Poetics Today, vol. 11, no. 2, p. 331:

     Once we move our search to the region of the mind, we find that access to the facts becomes much more difficult; as a result, disconfirmation is largely out of reach and metaphor begins to flourish.

2. (countable) A particular fact, observation, or other item of evidence which shows or tends to show that a belief or hypothesis is not true.
   • 1981, Daniel M. Hausman, "John Stuart Mill's Philosophy of Economics", Philosophy of Science, vol. 48, no. 3, p. 366:

     One can reduce the disconfirmations of economic generalizations by specifying a margin of error.

Synonyms

• infirmation

Related terms

• disconfirm

Translations