Category:Survey

Sur*vey", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Surveyed; p. pr. & vb. n. Surveying.] Etym: [of. surveoir, surveer; sur, sor, over, e. sur + veoir, veeir, To see, f. voir, l. videre. See sur-, and vision, and cf. Supervise.]

1. To inspect, or take a view of; to view with attention, as from a High place; to overlook; as, to stand on a hill, and survey the Surrounding country. Round he surveys and well might, where he stood, so high above. Milton.

2. To view with a scrutinizing eye; to examine. With such altered looks,. . . All pale and speechless, he surveyed Me round. Dryden.

3. To examine with reference to condition, situation, value, etc.; to Examine and ascertain the state of; as, to survey a building in order To determine its value and exposure to loss by fire.

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 Measurments, and the application of the principles of geometry and Trigonometry; as, to survey land or a coast.

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. [eng.] Jacob (law dict.).

Survey Sur"vey, n. Etym: [formerly accentuated universally on the last Syllable, and still so accented by many speakers.]

1. The act of surveying; a general view, as from above. Under his proud survey the city lies. Sir j. Denham.

2. 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 of a ship; a survey of roads and bridges; a survey of Buildings.

3. 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 portion Of country, or of a road or line through it. Survey of dogs. See Court of regard, under regard. -- trigonometrical survey, a survey of a portion of country by Measuring a single base, and connecting it with various points in the Tract surveyed by a series of triangles, the angles of which are Carefully measured, the relative positions and distances of all parts Being computed from these data.

Syn. -- review; retrospect; examination; prospect.