[ad. F. surveillant, pr. pple. (used subst.) of surveiller, f. sur- above, over + veiller (:—L. vigilāre) to watch.] One who exercises surveillance; a person who keeps watch over another or others; a superintendent, e.g., of a prison.
1819. B. E. O’Meara, Exp. Trans. St. Helena, 76. Lieutenant Jackson of the Staff corps, who had been previously employed as the surveillant of General Gourgand.
1837. De Quincey, Rev. Tartars, Wks. 1854, IV. 134. His mixed character of ambassador and of political surveillant … gave him a real weight in the Tartar councils.
1901. Daily Express, 18 March, 7/1. I got through the day … yarning with the surveillants and the convicts.
1905. Mrs. C. N. Williamson, Castle of Shadows, vii. 161. White-clad surveillants with revolvers on their hips.
