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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Observance \Ob*serv"ance\, n. [F. observance, L. observantia.
See {Observant}.]
1. The act or practice of observing or noticing with
attention; a heeding or keeping with care; performance; --
usually with a sense of strictness and fidelity; as, the
observance of the Sabbath is general; the strict
observance of duties.
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It is a custom
More honored in the breach than the observance.
--Shak.
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2. An act, ceremony, or rite, as of worship or respect;
especially, a customary act or service of attention; a
form; a practice; a rite; a custom.
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At dances
These young folk kept their observances. --Chaucer.
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Use all the observance of civility. --Shak.
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Some represent to themselves the whole of religion
as consisting in a few easy observances. --Rogers.
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O I that wasted time to tend upon her,
To compass her with sweet observances! --Tennyson.
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3. Servile attention; sycophancy. [Obs.]
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Salads and flesh, such as their haste could get,
Served with observance. --Chapman.
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This is not atheism,
But court observance. --Beau. & Fl.
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Syn: {Observance}, {Observation}. These words are
discriminated by the two distinct senses of observe. To
observe means (1) to keep strictly; as, to observe a
fast day, and hence, observance denotes the keeping or
heeding with strictness; (2) to consider attentively, or
to remark; and hence, observation denotes either the act
of observing, or some remark made as the result thereof.
We do not say the observation of Sunday, though the word
was formerly so used. The Pharisees were curious in
external observances; the astronomers are curious in
celestial observations.
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Love rigid honesty,
And strict observance of impartial laws.
--Roscommon.
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