A Quick and Simple Dictionary

survey

1. Noun.  The act of surveying; a general view, as from above.
2. Noun.  A particular view; an examination, especially an official examination, of all the parts or particulars of a thing, with a design to ascertain the condition, quantity, or quality; as, a survey of the stores of a ship; a survey of roads and bridges; a survey of buildings.
3. Noun.  The operation of finding the contour, dimensions, position, or other particulars of, as any part of the earth's surface, whether land or water; also, a measured plan and description of any portion of country, or of a road or line through it.
4. Verb.  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.
5. Verb.  To view with a scrutinizing eye; to examine.
6. Verb.  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.
7. Verb.  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 measurements, and the application of the principles of geometry and trigonometry; as, to survey land or a coast.
8. Verb.  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.
9. Verb.  To dispose of after determining that something is no longer useful for its intended purpose (military) "'''Surveyed''' Old Rope." -William Bligh.