survey

 

verb

Pronunciation: /səˈveɪ/
[with object]
  • 1look closely at or examine (someone or something): her green eyes surveyed him coolly I surveyed the options
  • 2examine and record the area and features of (an area of land) so as to construct a map, plan, or description: he surveyed the coasts of New Zealand
  • British examine and report on the condition of (a building), especially for a prospective buyer: the cottage didn’t look unsafe, but he had it surveyed
  • 3investigate the opinions or experience of (a group of people) by asking them questions: 95 per cent of patients surveyed were satisfied with the health service
  • investigate (behaviour or opinions) by questioning a group of people: the investigator surveyed the attitudes and beliefs held by residents

noun

Pronunciation: /ˈsəːveɪ/
  • 1a general view, examination, or description of someone or something: the author provides a survey of the relevant literature
  • an investigation of the opinions or experience of a group of people, based on a series of questions: a survey conducted by Gardening Which?
  • 2British an act of surveying a building: the building society will insist that you have a survey done
  • a written report detailing the findings of a building survey: the third type of report is a full structural survey
  • 3an act of surveying an area of land: the flight involved a detailed aerial survey of military bases
  • a map, plan, or detailed description obtained by surveying an area.
  • a department carrying out the surveying of land: the British Geological Survey

Origin:

late Middle English (in the sense 'examine and ascertain the condition of'): from Anglo-Norman French surveier, from medieval Latin supervidere, from super- 'over' + videre 'to see'. The early sense of the noun (late 15th century) was 'supervision'