observatory
UK /əbˈzɜːvət(ə)ɹi/ · US /əbˈzɝvətɔɹi/ noun
Forms observatories
- noun A place where stars, planets and other celestial bodies are observed, usually through a telescope; also place for observing meteorological or other natural phenomena.
- noun A lookout (vantage point with a view of the surrounding area)
Synonyms
Etymology
Borrowed from French observatoire, equivalent to observe + -atory.
Webster’s 1913
- noun A place or building for making observations on the heavenly bodies.
- noun A building fitted with instruments for making systematic observations of any particular class or series of natural phenomena.
Etymology [Cf. F. observatoire.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “observatory”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details