Main Entry:

sur·veil·lance

Pronunciation:

\sər-ˈvā-lən(t)s also -ˈvāl-yən(t)s or -ˈvā-ən(t)s\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

French, from surveiller to watch over, from sur- + veiller to watch, from Old French veillier, from Latin vigilare, from vigil watchful — more at vigil

Date:

1802

: close watch kept over someone or something (as by a detective) ; also : supervision