observationaladj.
/ˌɒbzəˈveɪʃn̩(ə)l/, /ˌɒbzəˈveɪʃən(ə)l/, U.S. /ˌɑbzərˈveɪʃən(ə)l/, /ˌɑbzərˈveɪʃn(ə)l/ 1. Science. Of or relating to scientific observation; based on or engaged in observation, esp. as opposed to theoretical work.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > chemistry > experiments > [adjective] > relating to scientific observation
observatical1702
observatory1815
observational1834
1834 T. Chalmers Bridgewater Treat. II. ii. ii. 191 At the commencement of this observational process.
1864 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 154 235 These two works are referred to throughout the Report as supplying, the first the observational, and the second the theoretical bases of the Instructions drawn up for the guidance of those who were to conduct..the proposed magnetic researches.
1881 Proc. Royal Soc. 33 50 Observational astronomy, in its bearing on the improvement of navigation, must always be its [sc. the Royal Observatory's] main line of work.
1939 A. Eddington Philos. Physical Sci. iii. 23 It is never the task of the experimenter to devise the observational procedure which is the ultimate test of a scientific assertion.
1940 G. Gamow Birth & Death of Sun xi. 214 For a long time observational astronomy has known of the existence of a large number of elongated nebulous objects distributed more or less uniformly throughout the stellar sky.
1984 J. W. Deacon Introd. Mod. Mycol. (ed. 2) iii. 51 Very simple observational approaches can still lead to conclusions of fundamental significance.
1998 Newsweek 18 May 65/1 For now, Helfand says that his job as an observational astronomer is ‘to make the theorists' lives interesting.’
2.
a. gen. Of, relating to, or making use of observation.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > attention > notice, observation > [adjective]
observational1853
observative1892
1853 DeBow's Rev. Mar. 212/1 As incidents in the history of individual life form the basis of observational philosophy, so the histories of particular cities become the groundwork of the most accurate general system of mercantile investigation.
1854 Fraser's Mag. 50 344 Means of furthering the education of the young, and displaying the observational powers of the mature.
1862 R. Mallet Great Neapolitan Earthquake of 1857 I. 7 The observational tact and largeness of a disciplined imagination and eye.
1972 Jrnl. Social Psychol. 86 282 Observational accuracy scores were higher for females than for males.
1989 Mod. Painters Autumn 79/1 About a third of my fieldwork consists of straightforward observational drawing.
b. spec. Of, relating to, or performing comedy or humour based around observations on everyday life, esp. its trivial aspects.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > laughter > causing laughter > [adjective] > humorous or jesting > other qualities of jests or humour
unwormwooded1628
ledger1655
canny1874
heavy-handed1910
off-colour1915
Dad and Dave1935
sick1959
observational1981
1981 United Press Internat. Newswire (Nexis) 2 June Good stand-up comedy today in clubs and TV is observational, not physical.
1985 Chicago Tribune (Nexis) 1 Sept. c10 He is one of the few ‘observational’ comics whose ideas seem to be his own.
1995 S. Nye Best of Men behaving Badly (2000) 4th Ser. Episode 5. 145/2 Tony. Isn't it funny how the last chocolate in the box is always a coffee cream? Gary. Observational humour, lovely.
2002 List (Glasgow & Edinb. Events Guide) 4 July 75/1 Three very different comedians all aspiring to break the observational comedy mould.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2004; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1834