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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Survey

Sur-vey', v. t.

verbtransitive

(sur-vā', 115), v. t. [imp. & p. p. SURVEYED; p. pr. & vb. n. SURVEYING.] [O. Fr. sur-veoir, surveeir, surveer, sorvoir, from sur, sor, over, and veoir, veeir, veer, voir, Lat. videre, to see.]

  1. To inspect or take a view of; to view with attention, as from a high place; as, to stand on a hill, and survey the surrounding country.
  2. To view with a scrutinizing eye; to examine.

With such altered looks, All pale and speechless, he surveyed me round. Dryden.

  1. To examine with reference to condition, situation, and value; to examine and ascertain the state of; as, to survey a building to determine its value and exposure to loss by fire.
  2. To determine the form, extent, position, &c., 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; as, to survey land or a coast.
  3. 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.

Sûr'vey, n.

noun

(sûr/vā') (Synop., § 130), n. [Formerly accented universally on the last syllable, and still so accented by many speakers.] 1. A general view, as from an elevated place. Under his proud survey the city lies. Denham.

  1. A particular view; an examination, especially an official examination, of all the parts or particulars of a thing, with a design to ascertain the condition, quantity, or quality; as, a survey of the stores, provisions, or munitions of a ship; a survey of roads and bridges; a survey of buildings to ascertain their condition, value, and exposure to fire.
  2. The act of surveying; the operation of finding the contour, dimensions, position, or other particulars of, as any part of the earth’s surface, whether land or water; also, a measured plan and description of any line or portion of country.
  3. A district for the collection of the customs, under the inspection and authority of a particular officer. [U. S.]

Trigonometrical survey, a survey on a large scale by means of a series of triangles, as for making a geometrical map of a country, or for measuring an arc of the terrestrial meridian. Brande. Syn.—Review; retrospect; examination; prospect.