survey

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   hold a review of troops

   The commander surveyed the company.

2. 2
   verb

   look over carefully or inspect

   They surveyed their new classmates.

3. 3
   noun

   The act of surveying; a general view.

   Under his proud survey the city lies.

4. 4
   noun

   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.

5. 5
   noun

   A measured plan and description of any portion of country.

   The owners of the adjoining plots had conflicting surveys.

6. 6
   noun

   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.

7. 7
   noun

   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.

8. 8
   verb

   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.

Etymology

From Middle English surveyen, from Old French sourveoir, surveer (“to oversee”), from sour-, sur- (“over”) + veoir, veeir (“to see”), from Latin videre. See sur- and vision. Related to supervision.