Main Entry: ¹sur·vey

Pronunciation: \sər-ˈvā, ˈsər-ˌ\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): 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 surveyed us in a lordly way — Alan Harrington>intransitive verb : to make a survey