Also 6 servey, survaye, 6–7 survay, surveigh, 7 survei, pa. t. survaid. [a. AF. surveier, -veir, = OF. so(u)rv(e)eir (pres. stem sorvey-):—med.L. supervidēre SUPERVIDE.]
1. trans. To examine and ascertain the condition, situation, or value of, formally or officially, e.g., the boundaries, tenure, value, etc., of an estate, a building or structure, accounts, or the like; more widely, to have the oversight of, supervise.
1467–8. [see SURVEYING vbl. sb. 1].
1472–5. Rolls of Parlt., vi. 159/1. To survey and kepe the Waters and grete Ryvers there,… and to doo due execution by the said Statutes,… aswell by their survew,… as by enquestes therof to be taken.
1512. Act 4 Hen. VIII., c. 13 § 3. Accomptes … to be taken veyed surveyede & comtrolled by [etc.].
1523. Fitzherb., Surv., Prol. Howe all these maners … & tenementes shulde be extended, surueyed, butted, bounded, and valued.
a. 1570. in Feuillerat, Revels Q. Eliz. (1908), 407. Suche … surveiours … as … will survey the office and the whole charge therof.
1591. Shaks., 1 Hen. VI., I. iii. 1. I am come to suruey the Tower this day; Since Henries death, I feare there is Conueyance.
1601. F. Tate, Househ. Ord. Edw. II., § 14 (1876), 13. The fruit which the purveiour … shal provide … shalbe surveied bi the same clarke before any be spent.
1625. Impeachm. Dk. Buckhm. (Camden), 31. To survey al the bils of lading and to compare al the merchants marks.
1709. Act 8 Anne, c. 5 § 18. All Makers of Candles shall … keep all the Candles … which shall not have been surveyed … separate … from all other their Candles which shall have been surveyed.
1880. Times, 17 Dec., 5/6. The Persian Monarch, st., is reported … to be leaking slightly…. She will be surveyed.
2. To determine the form, extent and situation of the parts of (a tract of ground, or any portion of the earth’s surface) by linear and angular measurements, so as to construct a map, plan or detailed description of it. Also absol.
1550. Crowley, Epigr., 1371. A manne that had landes … surueyed the same, and lette it out deare.
1587. Lady Stafford, in Collect. (O.H.S.), I. 208. The woods were seen and surveighed by him…, so that he knew the number of acres.
1796. Morse, Amer. Geog., I. 22. The Romans measured or surveyed all these places with the greatest care.
1846. Blackw. Mag., April, 506/1. I was out surveying the whole morning.
1879. C. C. King, in Cassell’s Techn. Educ., IV. 93/2. Let us assume that the surveyor having walked over the area he intends to survey … has … selected … a somewhat central position, on which to measure his base.
3. To look carefully into or through; to view in detail; to examine, inspect, scrutinize; to explore (a country). Now rare or Obs.
1592. Nashe, P. Penilesse Supplic., I 2 b. When he comes in to seruey his wares.
1613. Campion, El. Pr. Henry, 51. His care had beene Suruaying India, and implanting there The knowledge of that God which hee did feare.
a. 1631. Donne, Poems, Dampe, i. When I am dead … my friends curiositie Will have me cut up to survay each part.
1658. in Verney Mem. (1907), II. 82. To survey all my letters and actions … with a most rigid and censorious eye.
a. 1700. Evelyn, Diary, 17 Aug. 1669. To London, spending almost the intire day in surveying what progresse was made in rebuilding the ruinous Citty.
1725. De Foe, Voy. round World (1840), 241. The whole of this time my landlord and I spent in surveying the country, and viewing his plantation.
1798. S. & Ht. Lee, Canterb. T., II. 134. He took the piece he was drawing, and, holding it behind the light, to survey it, [etc.].
1871. Jowett, Plato, IV. 279. At all seasons of the year … let them [sc. wardens] survey minutely the whole country,… acquiring a perfect knowledge of every locality.
4. To look at from, or as from, a height or commanding position; to take a broad, general or comprehensive view of; to view or examine in its whole extent.
c. 1586. C’tess Pembroke, Ps. LXXII. iii. From sea to sea He shall survey All kingdoms as his own.
1615. Chapman, Odyss., X. 128. I … thence suruaid From out a loftie watch towre … The Countrie round about.
1667. Milton, P. L., VIII. 268. My self I then perus’d, and Limb by Limb Survey’d.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Georg., III. 354. Often he turns his Eyes, and, with a Groan, Surveys the pleasing Kingdoms, once his own.
1782. Cowper, Alex. Selkirk, i. I am monarch of all I survey, My right there is none to dispute.
1811. Lamb, Guy Faux, Misc. Wks. (1871), 374. Two persons … are intently surveying a sort of speculum … which stands upon a pedestal.
1832. Ht. Martineau, Hill & Valley, iii. 38. You … like to survey the ranks of slaves under you.
1873. Hale, In His Name, vi. 48. He surveyed the whole figure of the rider.
absol. 1667. Milton, P. L., III. 555. Round he surveys, and well might, where he stood So high above the circling Canopie Of Nights extended shade.
b. fig. To take a comprehensive mental view of; to consider or contemplate as a whole.
a. 1596. Sir T. More, IV. v. 65. Lets now suruaye our state.
1630. Prynne, Anti-Armin., 126. Suruay we all the internall, all the externall meanes of grace.
a. 1656. Hales, Gold. Rem., I. (1673), 253. If we surveigh and sum up all the forces which the Divil, Flesh, World, are able to raise.
1712. Addison, Hymn, in Spectator, No. 453, ¶ 7. When all thy Mercies, O my God, My rising Soul surveys.
1749. Johnson, Van. Hum. Wishes, 2. Let observation with extensive view, Survey mankind from China to Peru.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), IV. 259. He surveyed the elements of mythology,… which lay before him.
1888. F. Hume, Mme. Midas, I. Prol. In a short time they were able to rise to their feet and survey the situation.
absol. 1859. Cornwallis, Panorama New World, I. 121. Here was a scene that spoke a history. Let me survey.
† c. To observe, perceive, see. Obs. rare–1.
1605. Shaks., Macb., I. ii. 31. The Norweyan Lord, surueying vantage, With … new supplyes of men, Began a fresh assault.
1615. Brathwait, Strappado (1878), 178. Bid them haue recourse vnto their glasse, And there surueigh how swiftly time doth passe.
Hence Surveyed ppl. a.
1890. ‘R. Boldrewood,’ Col. Reformer (1891), 251. A surveyed township.
1895. Daily News, 4 Oct., 7/3. The only surveyed block now obtainable in that mine.
