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Observer vs Outness - What's the difference?

observer | outness |

As nouns the difference between observer and outness

is that observer is one who makes observations, monitors or takes notice while outness is (philosophy) the collective of things that are distinct from the observer or outness can be the extent to which someone, particularly a lesbian, is open about her sexuality.

observer

English

(wikipedia observer)

Noun

(en noun)
  • One who makes observations, monitors or takes notice
    • Most impartial observers agreed that Sampras had not served well.
  • One who adheres or follows laws, guidelines, etc.
    • I shall be an observer of the local customs.
  • A person sent as a representative, to a meeting or other function to monitor but not to participate
    • The UN sent many observers to the country's first elections.
  • (military) A crew member on an aircraft who makes observations of enemy positions or aircraft
    • The only crew-member to survive the crash was the Canadian observer .
  • (military) A sentry etc. manning an observation post
    • We waited till dusk when the observers' vision was poorest.

    Related terms

    * observance * observant * observation * observational * observatory * observe

    External links

    * * ----

    outness

    English

    Etymology 1

    Possibly coined by for his 1709 Essay v=onepage&q=outness&f=false'>Towards a New Theory of Vision

    Noun

    (-)
  • (philosophy) The collective of things that are distinct from the observer.
  • * {{quote-book, 1709, title= Towards a New Theory of Vision], author=[[w:George Berkeley, George Berkeley],
    • , passage=From what we have shewn it is a manifest Consequence, that the Ideas of Space, Outness, and things placed at a distance are not strictly speaking, the Object of Sight.}}
  • (philosophy) The property of being distinct.
  • * {{quote-book, 2008, title=Hamilton, author=John Veitch
    • , passage=Distance means degree of outness of one thing from another; but it presupposes outness as a fact and a conception.}}

    Synonyms

    * (property) otherness, externality, (rare) outwardness

    Etymology 2

    Popularised by Lynne Pearlman in her 1989 thesis Theorizing Lesbian Oppression and the Politics of Outness in the Case of Waterman v. National Life Assurance

    Noun

    (-)
  • The extent to which someone, particularly a lesbian, is open about her sexuality.
  • * {{quote-book, 2008, title=Contemporary Perspectives on Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Identities, author=Debra A. Hope
    • , passage=Couples who are discrepant on outness may have conflict around such issues as where to live (e.g. in an obvious gay neighbourhood), whether to bring a partner to work-related social events, and how to introduce their partner to family members.}}