Observance
Observance , noun
[French observance, Latin 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.
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. [Obsolete]
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.