- survey (v.)
- late 14c. (implied in surveyance), from O.Fr. surveeir, from M.L. supervidere "oversee" (see supervise). Meaning "to take linear measurements of a tract of ground" is recorded from 1550. The noun is attested from 1548, "act of viewing in detail." Meaning "systematic collection of data on opinions, etc." is attested from 1927. Surveyor is from Anglo-Fr. surveiour, from M.Fr. surveor, from O.Fr. verb surveeir.