observance
/əbˈzɝvəns/ noun C2- The practice of complying with a law, custom, command or rule.
- The custom of celebrating a holiday or similar occasion.
- Observation or the act of watching.
- A rule governing a religious order, especially in the Roman Catholic church. · Thomas Merton was a monk in the Order of Cistertians of the Strict Observance.
- That which is to be observed.
- Reverence; homage.
Plural observances
From the library
To my surprise it was nothing of any importance at all, but simply a copy of the questions and answers in the singular old observance called the Musgrave Ritual.
Having resolved to do it without loss of time, as his leave of absence extended only to the following Saturday, and having no feelings of diffidence to make it distressing to himself even at the moment, he set about it in a very orderly manner, with all the observances which he supposed a regular part of the business.
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