transitive verb

1. to examine for some specific purpose; inspect or consider carefully; review in detail
2. to look at or consider, esp. in a general or comprehensive way; view
3. to determine the location, form, or boundaries of (a tract of land) by measuring the lines and angles in accordance with the principles of geometry and trigonometry
4. to make a survey of

Etymology: ME surveien < Anglo-Fr surveier < OFr surveoir < sur- (see sur-) + veoir < L videre, to see: see vision

intransitive verb

noun pl. surveys -·veys

1. a detailed study or inspection, as by gathering information through observations, questionnaires, etc. and analyzing it
2. a general view; comprehensive study or examination a survey of Italian art
3. 1. the process of surveying a tract of land
   2. a tract surveyed
   3. a plan or written description of this