SURVEYING
surveying
(noun) the practice of measuring angles and distances on the ground so that they can be accurately plotted on a map; “he studied surveying at college”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
surveying (countable and uncountable, plural surveyings)
The science of accurately determining the position of points and the distances between them.
Verb
surveying
present participle of survey
Source: Wiktionary
Sur*vey"ing, n.
Definition: That branch of applied mathematics which teaches the art of
determining the area of any portion of the earth's surface, the
length and directions of the bounding lines, the contour of the
surface, etc., with an accurate delineation of the whole on paper;
the act or occupation of making surveys. Geodetic surveying, geodesy.
– Maritime, or Nautical, surveying, that branch of surveying which
determines the forms of coasts and harbors, the entrances of rivers,
with the position of islands, rocks, and shoals, the depth of water,
etc.
– Plane surveying. See under Plane, a.
– Topographical surveying, that branch of surveying which involves
the process of ascertaining and representing upon a plane surface the
contour, physical features, etc., of any portion of the surface of
the earth.
SURVEY
Sur*vey", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Surveyed; p. pr. & vb. n. Surveying.]
Etym: [OF. surveoir, surveer; sur, sor, over, E. sur + veoir, veeir,
to see, F. voir, L. videre. See Sur-, and Vision, and cf. Supervise.]
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.
[Eng.] Jacob (Law Dict.).
Sur"vey, n. Etym: [Formerly accentuated universally on the last
syllable, and still so accented by many speakers.]
1. The act of surveying; a general view, as from above.
Under his proud survey the city lies. Sir J. Denham.
2. 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. 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. Survey of dogs. See
Court of regard, under Regard.
– Trigonometrical survey, a survey of a portion of country by
measuring a single base, and connecting it with various points in the
tract surveyed by a series of triangles, the angles of which are
carefully measured, the relative positions and distances of all parts
being computed from these data.
Syn.
– Review; retrospect; examination; prospect.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition