Observance /(?)/

Ob·serv·ance

Observance

n.
  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.
    It is a custom More honored in the breach than the observance.
  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.
    At dances These young folk kept their observances.
    Use all the observance of civility.
    Some represent to themselves the whole of religion as consisting in a few easy observances.
    O I that wasted time to tend upon her, To compass her with sweet observances!
  3. Servile attention; sycophancy. [Obs.]
    Salads and flesh, such as their haste could get, Served with observance.
    This is not atheism, But court observance.
    Love rigid honesty, And strict observance of impartial laws.
    — Roscommon.