observer

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)
observer
    n 1: a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through
         the senses [syn: {perceiver}, {percipient}, {observer},
         {beholder}]
    2: an expert who observes and comments on something [syn:
       {observer}, {commentator}]
    
from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Observer \Ob*serv"er\, n.
   1. One who observes, or pays attention to, anything;
      especially, one engaged in, or trained to habits of, close
      and exact observation; as, an astronomical observer.
      [1913 Webster]

            The observed of all observers.        --Shak.
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            Careful observers may foretell the hour,
            By sure prognostic, when to dread a shower. --Swift.
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   2. One who keeps any law, custom, regulation, rite, etc.; one
      who conforms to anything in practice. "Diligent observers
      of old customs." --Spenser.
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            These . . . hearkened unto observers of times.
                                                  --Deut. xviii.
                                                  14.
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   3. One who fulfills or performs; as, an observer of his
      promises.
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   4. A sycophantic follower. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
      [1913 Webster]
    
from Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0
46 Moby Thesaurus words for "observer":
      TV-viewer, ace, air force, beholder, bird-watcher, bomber pilot,
      bystander, combat pilot, drugstore cowboy, examinant, examiner,
      eyewitness, fighter pilot, flyboy, gaper, gazer, gazer-on,
      girl-watcher, goggler, inspector, investigator, kibitzer, looker,
      looker-on, military pilot, naval pilot, ogler, onlooker, perceiver,
      percipient, scrutineer, seer, sidewalk superintendent, spectator,
      spectatress, spectatrix, suicide pilot, televiewer,
      television-viewer, tester, video-gazer, viewer, visitator, visitor,
      watcher, witness

    

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