observantEnglishOxford Dictionary of Englishobservant /əbˈzəːvnt / ▸ adjective 1 quick to notice or perceive things: her observant eye took in every detail. 2 adhering strictly to the rules of a particular religion, especially Judaism: an observant Jew. ▸ noun historical (Observant) a member of a branch of the Franciscan order that followed a strict rule. – ORIGIN late Middle English (as a noun): from French, literally ‘watching’, present participle of observer (see observe).