English
survey
Etymology

From Middle English surveyen, from Old French sourveoir, surveer ("to oversee"), from sour-, sur- ("over") + veoir, veeir ("to see"), from Latin videre.

Pronunciation
    • (British) IPA: /ˈsɜːveɪ/, /sɜːˈveɪ/
    • (US) enPR: sûrʹvā, sər-vāʹ, IPA: /ˈsɝˌveɪ/, /sɚˈveɪ/
    • (British) IPA: /səˈveɪ/, /sɜːˈveɪ/, /ˈsɜːveɪ/
    • (US) enPR: sər-vāʹ, sûr′vā, IPA: /sɚˈveɪ/, /ˈsɝˌveɪ/
Noun

survey (plural surveys)

  1. The act of surveying; a general view.
    • 1642, John Denham, Cooper's Hill:
      Under his proud survey the city lies.
  2. A particular view; an examination, especially an official examination, of a particular group of items, in order to ascertain the condition, quantity, or quality.
    A survey of the stores of a ship; a survey of roads and bridges; a survey of buildings.
  3. The operation of finding the contour, dimensions, position, or other particulars of any part of the Earth's surface.
  4. A measured plan and description of any portion of country.
    The owners of the adjoining plots had conflicting surveys.
  5. An examination of the opinions of a group of people.
    The local council conducted a survey of its residents to help it decide whether to go ahead with the roadside waste collection service.
  6. A questionnaire or similar instrument used for examining the opinions of a group of people.
    I just filled out that survey on roadside waste pick-up.
  7. (historical) An auction at which a farm is let for a lease for lives.
  8. (US) A district for the collection of customs under a particular officer.
Synonyms Translations Translations Translations Translations Verb

survey (surveys, present participle surveying; simple past and past participle surveyed)

  1. To inspect, or take a view of; to view with attention, as from a high place; to overlook
    He stood on a hill, and surveyed the surrounding country.
    • 1667, John Milton, “Book III ↗”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC ↗; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC ↗:
      Round he ſurveys, and well might, where he ſtood / So high above […]
  2. To view with a scrutinizing eye; to examine.
    • 1681, John Dryden, The Spanish Fryar: Or, the Double Discovery. […], London: […] Richard Tonson and Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC ↗, Act V, page 66 ↗:
      […] with ſuch alter'd Looks, […] / All pale, and ſpeechleſs, he ſurvey'd me round;
  3. To examine with reference to condition, situation, value, etc.; to examine and ascertain the state of
    It was his job to survey buildings in order to determine their value and risks.
  4. To determine the form, extent, position, etc., of, as a tract of land, a coast, harbor, or the like, by means of linear and angular measurements, and the application of the principles of geometry and trigonometry
    to survey land or a coast
  5. To examine and ascertain, as the boundaries and royalties of a manor, the tenure of the tenants, and the rent and value of the same.
    • 1713, Giles Jacob, The Complete Court-keeper: Or, Land-steward's Assistant:
      all the Tenants Leases and Copies are surveyed
  6. To investigate the opinions, experiences, etc., of people by asking them questions; to conduct a survey; to administer a questionnaire.
Synonyms Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations

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