online medical dictionary | definition of survey

An ordered series of questions about attitudes, behaviours or personal characteristics administered to individuals in a systematic manner.

(14 Jan 2009)

1. To inspect, or take a view of; to view with attention, as from a high place; to overlook; as, to stand on a hill, and survey the surrounding country. "Round he surveys and well might, where he stood, So high above." (Milton)

2. To view with a scrutinizing eye; to examine. "With such altered looks, . . . All pale and speechless, he surveyed me round." (Dryden)

3. To examine with reference to condition, situation, value, etc.; to examine and ascertain the state of; as, to survey a building in order to determine its value and exposure to loss by fire.

4. To determine the form, extent, position, etc, of, as a tract of land, a coast, harbor, or the like, by means of linear and angular measurments, and the application of the principles of geometry and trigonometry; as, to survey land or a coast.

5. To examine and ascertain, as the boundaries and royalties of a manor, the tenure of the tenants, and the rent and value of the same.

Origin: OF. Surveoir, surveer; sur, sor, over, E. Sur + veoir, veeir, to see, F. Voir, L. Videre. See Sur-, and Vision, and cf. Supervise.

(01 Mar 1998)