n.
Pronunciation: s ə r- ' v ā , ' s ə r- ˌ
Function: verb
Inflected Form: sur · veyed ; sur · vey · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French surveer, to look over, from sur- + veer to see ― more at VIEW
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1 a : to examine as to condition, situation, or value : APPRAISE b : to query (someone) in order to collect data for the analysis of some aspect of a group or area
2 : to determine and delineate the form, extent, and position of (as a tract of land) by taking linear and angular measurements and by applying the principles of geometry and trigonometry
3 : to view or consider comprehensively
4 : INSPECT , SCRUTINIZE <he survey ed us in a lordly way ― Alan Harrington>
intransitive verb : to make a survey