Ob*serv"er*ship (?), n. The office or work of an observer.
Ob*serv"ing, a. Giving particular attention; habitually attentive to
what passes; as, an observing person; an observing mind. --
Ob*serv"ing*ly, adv.
Ob*sess" (?), v. t. [L. obsessus, p. p. of obsidere to besiege; ob (see
Ob-) + sedere to sit.] To besiege; to beset. Sir T. Elyot.
Ob*ses"sion (?), n. [L. obsessio: cf.F. obsession.] 1. The act of
besieging. Johnson.
2. The state of being besieged; -- used specifically of a person beset
by a spirit from without. Tylor.
Whether by obsession or possession, I will not determine.
Burton.
Ob*sid"i*an (?), n. [L. Obsidianus lapis, so named, according to Pliny,
after one Obsidius, who discovered it in Ethiopia: cf.F. obsidiane,
obsidienne. The later editions of Pliny read Obsianus lapis, and
Obsius, instead of Obsidianus lapis, and Obsidius.] (Min.) A kind of
glass produced by volcanoes. It is usually of a black color, and
opaque, except in thin splinters.
In a thin section it often exhibits a fluidal structure, marked by the
arrangement of microlites in the lines of the flow of the molten mass.
Ob*sid"i*o*nal (?), a. [L. obsidionalis, from obsidio a siege, obsidere
to besiege: cf.F. obsidional. See Obsess.] Of or pertaining to a siege.
Obsidional crown (Rom.Antiq.), a crown bestowed upon a general who
raised the siege of a beleaguered place, or upon one who held out
against a siege.
Ob*sig`il*la"tion (?), n. [L. ob (see Ob-) + sigillum a seal.] A
sealing up. [Obs.] Maunder.
Ob*sign" (?), v. t. [See Obsignate.] To seal; to confirm, as by a seal
or stamp. [Obs.] Bradford.
Ob*sig"nate (?), v. t. [L. obsignated, p. p. of obsignare to seal. See
Ob-, and Sign.] To seal; to ratify. [Obs.] Barrow.
Ob`sig*na"tion (?), n. [L. obsignatio.] The act of sealing or
ratifying; the state of being sealed or confirmed; confirmation, as by
the Holy Spirit.
The spirit of manifestation will but upbraid you in the shame and
horror of a sad eternity, if you have not the spirit of
obsignation.
Jer. Taylor.
Ob*sig"na*to*ry (?), a. Ratifying; confirming by sealing. [Obs.] Samuel
Ward (1643)
Ob`so*lesce" (?), v. i. [L. obsolescere. See Obsolescent.] To become
obsolescent. [R.] Fitzed. Hall.
Ob`so*les"cence (?), n. [See Obsolescent.] The state of becoming
obsolete.
Ob`so*les"cent (?), a. [L. obsolescens, -entis, p. pr. of obsolescere,
to wear out gradually, to fall into disuse; ob (see Ob-) + solere to
use, be wont.] Going out of use; becoming obsolete; passing into
desuetude.
Ob"so*lete (?), a. [L. obsoletus, p. p. of obsolescere. See
Obsolescent.] 1. No longer in use; gone into disuse; disused;
neglected; as, an obsolete word; an obsolete statute; -- applied
chiefly to words, writings, or observances.
2. (Biol.) Not very distinct; obscure; rudimental; imperfectly
developed; abortive.
Syn. -- Ancient; antiquated; old-fashioned; antique; old; disused;
neglected. See Ancient.
Ob"so*lete, v. i. To become obsolete; to go out of use. [R.] Fitzed.
Hall.
Ob"so*lete*ly, adv. In an obsolete manner.
Ob"so*lete*ness, n. 1. The state of being obsolete, or no longer used;
a state of desuetude.