survey

English Online Dictionary. What means survey‎? What does survey mean?

English

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.

Pronunciation

• (noun):
  • (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈsɜːveɪ/, /sɜːˈveɪ/
  • (US) enPR: sûrʹvā, sər-vāʹ, IPA^(key): /ˈsɝˌveɪ/, /sɚˈveɪ/
  • In both Britain and America, the variant with initial stress is now significantly more common than that with final stress.
• Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)veɪ
• (verb):
  • (UK) IPA^(key): /səˈveɪ/, /sɜːˈveɪ/, /ˈsɜːveɪ/
  • (US) enPR: sər-vāʹ, sûr′vā, IPA^(key): /sɚˈveɪ/, /ˈsɝˌveɪ/
• Rhymes: -eɪ

Noun

survey (plural surveys)

1. The act of surveying; a general view.
2. A particular view; an examination, especially an official examination, of a particular group of items, in order to ascertain the condition, quantity, or quality.

3. The operation of finding the contour, dimensions, position, or other particulars of any part of the Earth's surface.
4. A measured plan and description of any portion of country.

5. An examination of the opinions of a group of people.

6. A questionnaire or similar instrument used for examining the opinions of a group of people.

7. (historical) An auction at which a farm is let for a lease for lives.
8. (US) A district for the collection of customs under a particular officer.

Synonyms

• (act of surveying): prospect, surveil
• (particular view): review

Derived terms

Translations

Verb

survey (third-person singular simple present surveys, present participle surveying, simple past and past participle surveyed)

1. To inspect, or take a view of; to view with attention, as from a high place; to overlook
2. To view with a scrutinizing eye; to examine.
3. To examine with reference to condition, situation, value, etc.; to examine and ascertain the state of

4. To determine the form, extent, position, etc., 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
5. 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.
6. To investigate the opinions, experiences, etc., of people by asking them questions; to conduct a survey; to administer a questionnaire.

Synonyms

• (to view with attention as if from on high): overlook, look over; luster, lustrate (obs.)

Derived terms

Translations

References

Middle English

Verb

survey

1. Alternative form of surveyen